Programmable Patents (Class 340/539.19)
  • Patent number: 11392994
    Abstract: In an aspect, a cloud-based server can establish a communications channel with a merchant device over a computer network. The cloud-based server can receive product information characterizing a product from the merchant device via the communications channel. The product information can include at least one measurement characterizing the product acquired in real-time by at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the merchant device. The cloud-based server can calculate a remaining life of the product based on the product information received from the merchant device. The cloud-based server can calculate a real-time price of the product based on a plurality of factors including the calculated remaining life of the product. The cloud-based server can transmit a promotion to purchase the product at a discount to a first client device in response to determining that the remaining life of the product is less than a predefined threshold, the discount calculated based upon the real-time price of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kalpit Singh, Hob Hairston, Henry Fieglein
  • Patent number: 11052872
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a controller configured to send a mobile application part protocol (MAPP) message to the server requesting that further commands be sent via the MAPP. The control system may send the MAPP message responsive to receiving a message containing a wakeup command from a server and being unable to establish a packet switched connection with the server. The control system may start the vehicle responsive to receiving a MAPP message from the server containing a command to start the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Lei, Allen R. Murray
  • Patent number: 11016636
    Abstract: An infotainment system to which data is transmitted including contact data, such as telephone numbers or addresses, or multimedia data, such as audio or video data. The origin of the transmitted data is a mobile terminal, download from a database, an NFC tag or a QR code. Following reception of the data on the infotainment system, the infotainment system checks whether the transmitted data is associated with one of the functions of the infotainment system, a navigation function, and/or a reproduction function for audio and/or video data. If the transmitted data is associated with on the functions of the infotainment system, the infotainment system offers those functions with which the data can be associated to a user of the transportation vehicle for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thorsten Lindemann, Axel Köhnke, Stefan Tubbesing, Hans-Udo Pietruschka
  • Patent number: 10493956
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, in which a locking state of a locking system of the motor vehicle is changed as soon as it is detected that a mobile terminal device that includes an NFC chip and contains a preset code in a memory unit is located within the transmitting and receiving area of an NFC control unit integrated in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Johannes Wisbauer
  • Patent number: 10181159
    Abstract: A computer device and method for processing loss related data to detect and initiate insurance claim events. Data is received from one or more sensor devices relating to insured property. Analysis is performed on the received data to determine one or more claim events regarding the insured property. An insurance policy, other product, or service contract associated with the insured property is received and analyzed to determine coverage for the insured property as prescribed by the insurance policy, other product, or service contract. Predefined business rules are applied using the determined one or more claim events and the determined coverage to determine if the insurance policy, other product, or service contract supports a claim regarding the one or more claim events. Notification of the claim is provided if it is determined supported by the insurance policy, other product, or service contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Michael J. Allen, Ramsey Devereaux, Spencer Read, David S. Franck, Teddy J. Voutour, Shanna Limas, William Chandler, Michael P. Burns, Daniela Wheeler, Kathleen L. Swain, Cleburne R. Burgess
  • Patent number: 10044966
    Abstract: A master device transmits received image data to a mobile phone terminal and includes a storage unit that stores sensor setting information including at least sensitivity or a threshold value of a sensor, the mobile phone terminal includes a display and input unit, displays the image data transmitted from the master device on the display and input unit, requests the master device to provide the sensor setting information when receiving a predetermined operation, displays the sensor setting information transmitted from the master device on the display and input unit, and transmits the changed sensor setting information to the master device when receiving an operation of changing the sensor setting information, and the master device updates the sensor setting information stored in the storage unit using the sensor setting information after changing transmitted from the mobile phone terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Sato, Mitsuru Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9972194
    Abstract: Systems and methods for take-over protection for a system are provided. Methods can include a module of the system storing, in a memory device of the module, a control panel identifier of a control panel of the system, the module requesting that the control panel communicates the control panel identifier to the module, the module receiving the control panel identifier from the control panel, the module comparing the control panel identifier received from the control panel with the control panel identifier stored in the memory device, and the module initiating communications with the control panel when the control panel identifier received from the control panel matches the control panel identifier stored in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Eskildsen, Mark Douglas Okeefe, Doug Marshall
  • Patent number: 9947191
    Abstract: A master device stores audio data and image data transmitted from an outdoor monitoring camera in an image memory and transmits the data to a mobile phone terminal, the mobile phone terminal includes a display/input unit, displays the image data and a predetermined icon on the display/input unit, and transmits a request signal for stopping the storage operation performed by the master device to the master device when a predetermined operation is performed on the predetermined icon, and the master device stops storing the audio data and the image data in the image memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Wada, Mitsuru Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9871689
    Abstract: Each of terminal devices 3 belongs to one of groups, starts up at a startup time, and performs terminal processing within a communication time after an offset time is lapsed. A control device 2 uses a sum of the communication times of the terminal devices 3 belonging to the same group as the communication time of the group. The offset time is calculated for terminal devices 3 belonging to another group which performs the terminal processing subsequently to the terminal devices 3 belonging to the previous group, based on the communication time of the previous group. A next startup time for each terminal device 3 is determined based on the communication time and the offset time, and it is set to the terminal device 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunari Hagihara
  • Patent number: 9846978
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor and storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions include receiving data from a plurality of vehicles, generating at least one cluster from the received data, and determining a life cycle profile for a vehicle component based on the at least one cluster. The data includes state of health information associated with the vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Imad Hassan Makki
  • Patent number: 9787621
    Abstract: An identification message is sent from a sensor apparatus, over a wireless communication network, in response to a trigger event sensed by a sensor device in the sensor apparatus. The identification message includes a unique identifier of the sensor apparatus. The identification message is received at a network server. A pre-configured action profile associated with the unique identifier in the received identification message is accessed by the network server. A response action is caused to be executed based on information in the accessed action profile. The sensor apparatus is paired to a subscriber account before first use, thereby allowing secure initialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Button Corporation Oy
    Inventors: Juuso Pesola, Jari Leminen, Sami Pönkänen, Harri Rautio, Erkki Heilakka
  • Patent number: 9733808
    Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure allow an extremely simple way to interact with e.g. various Internet and mobile telecommunications related services, for example by a single button press. An identification message is sent from a sensor apparatus, over a wireless communication network, in response to a trigger event sensed by a sensor device comprised in the sensor apparatus. The identification message includes a unique identifier of the sensor apparatus. The identification message is received at a network server. A pre-configured action profile associated with the unique identifier in the received identification message is accessed by the network server. A response action is caused to be executed based on information in the accessed action profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: The Button Corporation Oy
    Inventors: Juuso Pesola, Jari Leminen, Sami Pönkänen, Harri Rautio, Erkki Heilakka
  • Patent number: 9507343
    Abstract: A component service life notifying device configured to notify, beforehand, a service life of a component is provided to prevent the service life of the component from terminating on the sea. The navigation device (component service life notifying device) includes a route setting module, a navigation time calculating module, a service life acquiring module, and a notifying module. The route setting module sets a route for navigation. The navigation time calculating module calculates a scheduled navigation time period of the route. The service life acquiring module acquires an estimated service life of the component. A comparing module outputs a comparison result between the scheduled navigation time period to a predetermined destination of the route set by the route setting module and the estimated remaining service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9501874
    Abstract: A flexible condition-based maintenance (CBM) device is disclosed. A CBM device receives a plurality of sensor signals generated by corresponding sensors. The sensor signals indicate real-time conditions of components. The sensor signals are processed to generate sensor data that quantifies the real-time conditions of the components. The CBM device loads a CBM module that implements a plurality of externally invokable functions. The CBM device receives an analytics script. The first analytics script comprises a plurality of interpretable commands, and some of the plurality of interpretable commands are configured to invoke some of the plurality of externally invokable functions. The CBM module invokes a command interpreter module to interpret at least one interpretable command and generate command executable bytecodes. The command executable bytecodes are executed to generate a notification identifying a real-time condition of a component for presentation on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Sreerupa Das, Joshua P. Foster, Ryan A. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 9503974
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for switching data at nodes of a wireless networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a node comprises memory, a first port, a second port, a virtual machine, and logic. The memory is configured to store port settings, and the virtual machine is configured to execute a remote procedure call wirelessly transmitted to the node through the wireless network. In executing the remote procedure call, the virtual machine is configured to set the port settings. The logic is configured to receive data from the first port and to transmit the data to the second port based on the port settings without processing of the data by the virtual machine such that the data streams unchanged through the node from the first port to the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Synapse Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Ewing, Kevin R. Banks
  • Patent number: 9297925
    Abstract: The present invention is a unique combination and physical packaging of low power COTS electronics, real-time operating system, and custom firmware that relays data, messages, and GPS position through the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) satellite system. It is a data collector, processor, transmitter, location reporting, and data storage device that provides bi-directional satellite communications anywhere in the world. The combination is very low power and economical as compared to other devices. It can be used for many unattended remote data collection and reporting needs. The smart module may be used in measuring and reporting remote marine data for marine weather analysis, forecasts, and warnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Rodney Eugene Riley
  • Patent number: 9019086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unit with integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and a method for same. Using a scan, push button or untrained channel mode, a user may enter into a wireless bidirectional interface mode of a trainable transceiver. The interface mode allows a user to select a sub-set of modes that include diagnostics, flash and vehicle interface. Each mode provides the trainable transceiver to communicate wirelessly in a bidirectional manner with another remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Horia Eduard Pilat, Chris H. Vuyst
  • Patent number: 8996248
    Abstract: A virtual sensor network system is provided that includes a virtual sensor node that stores sensor data collected from a sensor mounted within a vehicle in time synchronization therewith and provides the stored sensor data in time synchronization therewith, in addition, a master node performs a control on the virtual sensor node and executes an algorithm used in an intelligent vehicle using the sensor data. The master node receives the sensor data stored in the virtual sensor node as the virtual sensor data in time synchronization therewith, without inputting actual sensor data from the sensor mounted within the vehicle when executing the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Jinhak Kim, Hui Sung Lee, Hyoung Geun Kwon, Yoonho Jang, Yo Han Lee, Jin Ho Kim, Jae Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 8988230
    Abstract: A bird deterrent system includes (i) measurement of bird habituation to activation of deterrent devices and (ii) reduction of habituation through increased selectivity in activating deterrents only for birds posing a threat to or threatened by a protected area, and in particular, those within threat altitudes. The bird deterrent system further provides (iii) analytical data in support of safety management systems, risk management, etc., and (iv) integrated, wide-area radar coverage with multiple virtual intrusion zones providing multiple lines of defense around and over very large protected areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nohara, Andrew M. Ukrainec, Graeme S. Jones, Robert C. Beason, Peter T. Weber, Domingos Nelson Costa, Carl Krasnor
  • Patent number: 8970342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method with at least one presence detector, wherein the presence detector has a radio transmitter. The system further comprises at least one radio receiver that is constructed in such a manner as to receive and evaluate signals of the presence detector transmitted via radio. The radio receiver further comprises at least one device that acts on downstream units as a function of the evaluation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: EnOcean GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Armin Anders, Christian Bach
  • Patent number: 8957777
    Abstract: A method for establishing a connection between a first electronic computing device and a second electronic computing device includes moving the second electronic computing device so that it is proximal to the first electronic computing device. When the first electronic computing device detects the proximity of the first electronic computing device relative to the second electronic computing device, a radio on the first electronic device is set to a connectable and discoverable state. A wireless connection is automatically established between the first electronic computing device and the second electronic computing device. Data is transmitted between the first electronic computing device and the second electronic computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Baker, Braxton L. Lathrop
  • Patent number: 8896426
    Abstract: A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device. If the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: UEI Cayman Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel SauFu Mui
  • Patent number: 8866606
    Abstract: A subscriber device for use in an automated personal emergency response system implemented as a conference bridge on a remote computing network. The device, intended to be worn as a pendant, wristband or in another wearable configuration, includes a color high-resolution display for signaling a user of the subscriber device with notifications, arrows for directional guidance, and/or other status messages. The device also includes microphones and speakers for enabling a teleconference between a user of the subscriber device in need of assistance and parties joined to the teleconference via the automated personal emergency response system. The user of the subscriber device may initiate the call for assistance and teleconference via a press of a single button on the device; alternatively, accelerometers in the device may detect a fall and automatically initiate the call. The device can receive medical telemetry and provide it to conference participants and perform home automation tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwilli RMR LLC
    Inventors: Travis E. Will, Russell E. VanDevanter, Steven M. Myhre, Michael J. Myhre
  • Patent number: 8781450
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for handling data in wireless communication devices where data may be captured and linked to a personal journal via indexing and mapping of context data tags abstracted from captured data. The captured data may be retrieved by matching a query to one or more context data tags indexed and mapped to the personal journal. A user preference utilizing one or more of the context data tags linked to the personal journal may facilitate captured data retrieval. The captured data may include multimedia data of an event pre-tagged with indexed information such as user ID, time, date, location and environmental condition or optionally one or more user's biometric data in response to the event. The pre-tagged captured data may be stored in the local host device or transferred to a remote host or storage for later retrieval or post processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Patent number: 8742915
    Abstract: In a system for monitoring the pressure of the tires of a vehicle, it is proposed to compensate the raw data of the parameters of the tires only if the comparison of the successive raw data of at least one reference parameter exhibits a deviation, in absolute value, greater than a determined threshold of variation. In a TPMS monitoring system, each wheel unit includes sensors for measuring the parameters of pressure, temperature and acceleration, and elements of storage and autonomous power supply, in conjunction with a processor. The raw data provided by the sensors are stored, compensated and transmitted as finalized data by a radiofrequency emission circuit to a central unit. It is proposed that the wheel unit also includes, in a processing module, comparison elements, external to the processor, for comparing between successive raw data of one and the same parameter that are provided by the measurement sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Youri Vassilieff
  • Patent number: 8723658
    Abstract: A method of managing physical effort expended by a user of a human-propelled vehicle provided with a control unit connected to an electric motor that is powered by a battery and that is arranged to take the place at least in part of the user for the purposes of propelling and of braking the vehicle, as a function of a program executed by the control unit in order to manage the physical effort expended by the user. A vehicle adapted to this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: IMW-Productions
    Inventors: Eric Jean, Bruno Garin
  • Patent number: 8704667
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving user data, analyzing the user data, and generating outputs based upon the analysis of user input data in conjunction with various other data. Specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic “nanny” system to analyze personal appointment data for meetings or appointments attended by individuals and generate outputs to various emergency contacts for the purpose of notifying the emergency contacts that a user of the system has not checked back with the electronic “nanny” system and may therefore be in trouble or in a dangerous situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Robin Brou Hatheway
  • Patent number: 8624729
    Abstract: A monitoring system having an ad-hoc network of wireless sensor stations. Each sensor station is provided with one or more sensors suitable for monitoring one or more physical parameters of interest and collecting information. The sensor stations are configured to process the collected information using appropriate distributed computational algorithms such that nearby sensor stations can exchange information with each other in the ad-hoc network to evaluate the situation in a specific location at a specific moment in time employing combined information of the nearby sensor stations in the area. The information is transmitted via the ad-hoc network to information consumers only if necessary, based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Defendec Inc.
    Inventors: Jürgo-Sören Preden, Jaanus Tamm, Madis Uusjärv, Villu Arulaane
  • Patent number: 8594654
    Abstract: A system for using at least one mobile terminal in a motor vehicle, such as a passenger automobile or a two-wheeled vehicle in particular, having at least one mobile terminal, a display device situated in the vehicle, an operating device provided in the vehicle, and a communication interface between the vehicle and the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal and/or a terminal integration device provided in the vehicle be provided with a terminal sequence controller, which calls up an operating and/or display interface on the vehicle display device for operating functions and/or software applications of the mobile terminal and is operated via the vehicle operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Weyl, Karl-Ernst Steinberg
  • Patent number: 8558693
    Abstract: A system and method are described for processing location-based reminders. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a location database to store a plurality of different locations including event facilities, points of interest, and one or more personal locations specified by an end user, the location database associating each of the different locations with a Global Positioning System (GPS) location or range of GPS locations; a location-based reminder application to receive user input related to one or more location-based reminders, each location-based reminder associating a particular location from the location database with reminder data input by the user; and wherein, in response to detecting the user's mobile device arriving within a particular location associated with the reminder data, the location-based reminder application triggering the reminder using a visual and/or audible notification on the user's mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tribal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Jeffrey Martin, Steve Hales, Joseph Vierra, Eugene Han, Alberto Moriondo
  • Patent number: 8547225
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remote detection of volcanic plumes using satellite signals. The invention solves the problem of remotely detecting volcanic plumes, including those embedded in clouds, by providing a system that can be installed onboard a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, a satellite, a weather balloon, a ship or a buoy. The volcanic plume detection system tracks RF signals (such as GPS signals from satellites) arriving at the mobile platform, and issues an alert or warning when characteristics of the RF signals indicate the likely presence of a volcanic plume in the monitored space. More specifically, the system in accordance with one embodiment utilizes the refractive properties of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gas that is abundant in nearly all volcanic eruptions, to infer the presence of a volcanic plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 8525671
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Paceco Corp.
    Inventors: Henry S. King, Toru Takehara
  • Patent number: 8478319
    Abstract: A distributed sensor network has a base station and clusters of sensor nodes. In a method of locating and classifying signal sources, at each node divides a received signal into blocks, performs Fourier-based transform on the blocks, selects peaks from the transformed blocks, selects subbands with features of interest based on the frequency of occurrence of the peaks across the blocks, collaborates with other nodes in the cluster to make a final selection of the subbands, encodes the subband features of the signal, and transmits the subband features to the base station. The base station processes the received subband features to locate and classify the signal sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Information System Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmood R. Azimi-Sadjadi, SaravanaKumar Srinivasan, Michael V. McCarron
  • Patent number: 8461974
    Abstract: An electric circuit for controlling the access and immobilizing a vehicle has a first antenna driver (12) for driving a first antenna (19) for emitting a signal (100) in the event of identification of an ID transmitter (3) for access control of a vehicle. A second antenna driver (24) is provided for driving a second antenna (21) for emitting a signal (104) in the event of identification of an ID transmitter (3) for the immobilizer of the vehicle. In addition, the electric circuit has a receiver device (14) for receiving a signal captured by an antenna (21) for the identification of an ID transmitter (3) for the immobilizer. The first antenna driver (12) and the receiver device (14) are commonly integrated into a semiconductor chip (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH, Continental Automotive France
    Inventors: Ulrich Emmerling, Bernhard Förstl, Daniel Hostmann, Matthias Huschenbett, Luc Jansseune, Rupert Schuster, Roland Wagner
  • Patent number: 8436716
    Abstract: A method of upgrading an operation program in an interrogator of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including the interrogator and a transponder is provided. The method includes transmitting, from the interrogator to the transponder, a first message requesting an operation program upgrade based on information exchanged between the interrogator and the transponder; receiving, at the interrogator from the transponder, a second message that includes a new-version operation program in response to the first message; and installing, at the interrogator, the new-version operation program to upgrade the operation program in the interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji hun Koo, Kyung duck Seo, Young hoon Min
  • Patent number: 8416054
    Abstract: A system and method for training a learning transceiver to a movable barrier system includes a learning transceiver that is configured for being trained to the movable barrier system. To provide ease of use to consumers, a user is able to train the learning transceiver to the movable barrier system without needing to push a button on a movable barrier operator or use a pretrained transmitter. To this end, a movable barrier operator is configured to transmit a transmission signal to the learning transceiver including a rolling access code, which is used to train the learning transceiver. To maintain the security of the movable barrier system and to restrict unauthorized users from accessing the movable barrier system, the movable barrier operator waits to transmit the transmission signal, including the rolling access code, to the learning transceiver until it has received an indication that a predetermined event occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James Joseph Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 8299903
    Abstract: A combination light and sound producing fixture and combination screw-in light with speakers element is disclosed where the fixture is installed in a wall or ceiling or on a wall or ceiling. The light bulb/speaker can be screwed or secured into a standard light bulb socket. The sound producing elements is a coaxial arrangement of speakers having a low frequency transducer and one or more high frequency transducers that can be directed to emit sound in a particular direction. The fixture or bulb may further include digital signal processing to modify the sound to account for obstructions in or near the fixture. The surface of the sound transducer can be reflective in nature to provide focusing or diffusion of the light from the lighting elements. The lighting elements are incandescent, fluorescent or low voltage LED type that may include adjustment for lighting intensity and color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Edward H Haase, John Kemper Pasley
  • Patent number: 8299928
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting viewer-related programming to a particular viewer. In at least one embodiment, a wireless reader is configured to receive at least one identifier when the particular viewer is in proximity to the reader. A controller is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless reader and to associate the identifier with the particular viewer, and, upon successfully associating the wireless identifier with the particular viewer, to present the viewer-related programming associated with the particular viewer via the display or other presentation device located in proximity to the wireless reader. Viewer-related programming may including placeshifted content, viewing preferences, settings or other information as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: John T. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8279062
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to tracking systems and methods for monitoring the location of an asset or group of assets. In particular, the present invention provides systems for monitoring the location of a large group of assets. Furthermore, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying an asset within a group of assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Amstr. Investments 19 K.G., LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Burneske, Fred F. Schleifer
  • Patent number: 8270937
    Abstract: A friends-based low-threat response service for subscribers in one or more mobile communications networks is provided. In general, in a low-threat situation, a subscriber initiates a request to the low-threat response service via the subscriber's mobile device. The low-threat response service identifies a friend of the subscriber or a friend-of-a-friend of the subscriber that is geographically proximate to the subscriber as a responder. The low-threat response service then establishes communication between the subscriber and the responder or notifies the subscriber that the responder is coming to provide assistance. The low-threat response service may also effect presentation of information at a mobile device of the responder directing the responder to the subscriber, information at the mobile device of the subscriber directing the subscriber to the responder, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kota Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory M. Evans, Alfredo C. Issa
  • Patent number: 8258937
    Abstract: A method of transmitting driver specific vehicle data includes entering driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller; identifying a vehicle driver; displaying driver specific HEV data within the vehicle; and configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allen D. Dobryden, William P. Perkins, Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl
  • Patent number: 8207833
    Abstract: A method for making a communication available between data modules that are interconnected via communication units of a device for making the communication available, in which at least one data module is automatically selected by at least one communication unit via a data protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Klose, Wilfried Tenten
  • Patent number: 8191785
    Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory communicatively coupled to the CPU, an EIR device, and a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the CPU. The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. The EIR device can be configured to perform one of: outputting raw message data containing an encoded message, outputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message. The wireless communication interface can comprise a first logical communication interface operating on a first frequency channel and a second logical communication interface operating on a second frequency channel. The wireless communication interface can be configured to transmit infrastructure mode beacons. The infrastructure mode beacons can include a service set identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Huyu Qu, Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Patent number: 8179255
    Abstract: The personal security purse comprises a handbag, suitcase, backpack, purse, or luggage that has a security device integrated into the design. The security device comprises a panic button located on the purse, a video recording means, an audio recording means, a speaker. The security device can be remotely operated via a remote control. The security device may also include a plurality of alarm sensors as well as a GPS unit for location based services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventors: Muraguet Lamore, Myrtha Lamore
  • Patent number: 8159334
    Abstract: A tangible computer readable medium includes instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to communicate with a multicast alert server to receive a multicast emergency alert message via a multicast-enabled network of an Internet Protocol television system. The multicast emergency alert message includes data related to a location code and data related to a set-top box action. The computer program further includes instructions to execute the set-top box action when the location code matches location information stored at a set-top box device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John McClenny, Thomas Webster, Michael Thomas Raftelis
  • Patent number: 8085143
    Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes a microprocessor for processing signals and communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor. The communication circuitry includes input/output circuitry for receiving signals from a plurality of wireless devices over a wireless communication path, for providing the signals to the microprocessor, and for transmitting processed signals from the microprocessor to the plurality of wireless devices. The input/output circuitry of the transceiver includes a non-wireless connection coupling the wireless transceiver to a test and measurement device. The test and measurement device receives the processed signals from the microprocessor, processes the received signal and data and/or information encoded therein, and performs a predetermined response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: OMEGA Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton B. Hollander, Michael A. Macchiarelli
  • Patent number: 8065079
    Abstract: A method of processing location data at a portable computing device is provided and includes receiving information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device. The information includes a central point and an entry indication perimeter. An entry alert associated with the user defined location is received at the portable computing device. The location of the portable computing device is monitored to determine when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the user defined location indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location. The method further includes switching the portable computing device from a roaming state to an entry state indicating that the portable computing device is about to enter the user defined location. An indication can be provided to the user that the portable computing device has switched to the entry state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Sean Scott Rogers
  • Patent number: 8049630
    Abstract: An animal management system and scanning access device are disclosed. The scanning access device accesses RFID label disposed on/in animal body, and the information of the accessed RFID label is subsequently processed and transmitted to the animal management system via a communication transmission module for comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Jin-Hao Chao Cheng, Yu-Lun Ho
  • Patent number: 8025233
    Abstract: A network accessible node that facilitates management of a fleet of portable communication devices (EIR terminal), including portable data terminals and/or barcode readers, by directing performance of software upgrade and/or configuration update actions by one or more members of the fleet of EIR terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Kosecki, Aldo Mario Caballero
  • Patent number: 8027668
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for handling data in wireless communication devices where data may be captured and linked to a personal journal via indexing and mapping of context data tags abstracted from captured data. The captured data may be retrieved by matching a query to one or more context data tags indexed and mapped to the personal journal. A user preference utilizing one or more of the context data tags linked to the personal journal may facilitate captured data retrieval. The captured data may include multimedia data of an event pre-tagged with indexed information such as user ID, time, date, location and environmental condition or optionally one or more user's biometric data in response to the event. The pre-tagged captured data may be stored in the local host device or transferred to a remote host or storage for later retrieval or post processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley