Having Plural Distinct Sensors (i.e., For Surrounding Conditions) Patents (Class 340/539.22)
  • Patent number: 8193909
    Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating a camera in a surveillance system. The method and system use a mathematical rotation between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system in order to calibrate a camera with a map of an area. In some embodiments, the calibration can be used to control the camera and/or to display a view cone on the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Intergraph Technologies Company
    Inventors: Andrew D. Estes, Johnny E. Frederick
  • Patent number: 8183977
    Abstract: A control system includes: an input unit through which a signal for a gesture and a background of the gesture is input; a gesture recognition unit which recognizes the gesture on the basis of the input signal; an attribute recognition unit which recognizes an attribute of a background target of the recognized gesture on the basis of the input signal; and a command transmitting unit which generates a control command on the basis of a combination of the recognized gesture and the background target attribute and transmits the control command to a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8175527
    Abstract: A portable apparatus of the present invention functions as a transmitter and/or a receiver in electric field communication in which communication is performed through a human body by converting an information signal into an electric field signal; is substantially hexahedron-shaped and provided with sides and an display surface allowing information to be viewed; and includes an outer electrode for electric field communication provided on the display surface and a human-body-side electrode for electric field communication provided on at least one of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hebiguchi, Shigetoshi Matsuta, Nobuaki Haga
  • Patent number: 8169311
    Abstract: Vehicle with wireless sensors includes a frame, at least one sensor assembly fixed to the frame and each including a sensor arranged to obtain data about a condition or property of the vehicle or part thereof or an environment in or around the vehicle, and a wireless transmission component coupled to the sensor for wirelessly transmitting a signal derived from the data obtained by the sensor, a receiver fixed to the frame arranged to receive signals from the wireless transmission component, and a reactive component for performing an action based on the data obtained by the sensor and transmitted from the wireless transmission component to the receiver. The data can be displayed as an indication to the driver or other occupant of the vehicle, relayed the data to a remote location for analysis or response and/or used to determine adjustment or control a component in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 8164453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a physical audit system with radio frequency identification (RFID) and a method thereof, which perform physical audit by means of RFID. First, a plurality of electronic tags is set in a physical system and all the physical units included in the physical system, respectively. The plurality of electronic tags records physical configuration data related to the physical system and the physical units, respectively. A radio-frequency writer unit writes the physical configuration data of a newer version according to the physical system and the physical units. Then, a radio-frequency reader unit reads the physical configuration data of the plurality of electronic tags, and transmits the physical configuration data to an integrated data processing device for analyzing and comparing the physical configuration data. It is judged if the physical configuration is identical to comparison data in the integrated data processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Armaments Bureau, M.N.D.
    Inventors: Shing-Jin Wang, Tain-Wen Suen, Ming-Town Lee
  • Patent number: 8164450
    Abstract: An initiative warning system comprises a protective area for accommodating objects and defining an area network, a plurality of sensors respectively installed on the objects, a detecting mainframe connected with the area network, and a terminal communicated with the detecting mainframe through the area network. Wherein, the arrangement of the area network promotes the connection between the detecting main frame and substitutes the conventional wiring allocation, so as to streamline installations of the detecting mainframe and the sensors. Additionally, the sensors can regularly transmit oscillating signals to the detecting mainframe for a further recognition and comparison. Thus, a controlling signal would be timely sent to trigger a warning command showing on the terminal through the area network when the compatible signals between the sensors and the detecting mainframe are not detected by the detecting mainframe, thereby preferably attaining an active warning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Ming-Pao Cho
  • Publication number: 20120092159
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers arranged in a mesh network that each synchronously communicate with at least one other of the plurality of transceivers in an assigned slot of a TDMA channel, at least a first of the plurality of transceivers asynchronously transmitting a priority message on a priority channel that is different than the TDMA channel and at least a second of the plurality of transceivers that detects an information content of the asynchronous priority message on the priority channel and retransmits the detected information content synchronously on the TDMA channel to a third transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Berezowski, Tim Rauworth, Vinayak Sadashiv Kore
  • Patent number: 8160574
    Abstract: A wireless communication system for use in a process control environment includes a reference node adapted to determine geographic positions of at least some of the reference node, a base node, and a field node and determine RF power settings of transceivers attached to the reference node, the base node, and the field node based on the position of determined geographic positions. Additionally, the reference node is adapted to determine RF noise level at a plurality of locations within the process control environment at a plurality of times and to adjust the RF power settings based on the determined RF noise levels. The reference node may be implemented on a hand-held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Nelson
  • Patent number: 8159340
    Abstract: A remote wireless network includes a plurality of sensors/transmitters wherein each sensor is uniquely identifiable and lends its unique identity to the transmitter to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: R3 Sensors, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Peters, Robert B. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 8154402
    Abstract: A wireless temperature sensor network includes a base station unit which transmits query signals cyclically addressing a plurality of temperature sensor transponder units. The transponder units are passive and derive operating power from the query signal to encode measured temperature data into a reply signal which is received by the base station. In a dual carrier embodiment, the query signal and reply signals are transmitted on separate frequencies. In a backscattering embodiment, the antennas of the transponder units can be switched between an absorption mode in which the query signal is received and a reflection mode in which the query signal is reflected back to the base station. The transponder antennas are switched in such a manner as to encode temperature data in the reflected signal to form a reply signal. The network embodiments are particularly applicable to space based platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Reza Tayrani, Richard D. Young, Nick J. Rosik, Mark E. Stading, Shaun L. Champion, Ives H. Philip, Tho X. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120081224
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Kweku David Fleming
  • Patent number: 8149118
    Abstract: In a device and a method for registering the opening of closures of spaces to be secured, a sealing module, which includes a sensor, a microprocessor, a memory, and a wireless communication device, can be attached to the closure in such a way that the sensor detects a movement and writes data documenting the movement into the memory; a detection unit includes at least one wireless communication device, a microprocessor, and a memory that are embodied to read out at least the data documenting the movement from the memory of the sealing module and to write these data into the memory of the mobile detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Niesen, Hubert Kalweit
  • Patent number: 8149109
    Abstract: An mobile emergency device is disclosed. The mobile emergency device includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions are programmed to communicate an emergency communication via the wireless communications component, wherein the emergency communication is conducted with an emergency device deployed within a building automation system, generate display data based on the received emergency communication, and communicate the display data for presentation to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Karen D. Lontka
  • Patent number: 8138918
    Abstract: An intrusion detection and tracking system includes a plurality of nodes, a DP and a gateway. The nodes are disposed about an area and form a wireless network to be monitored, the nodes are configured to receive data and transmit data frames with a signal strength indicator and/or a link quality indicator in the frames. The DP is communicatively connected to the network and configured to analyze variations in the signal strength indicator and/or link quality indicator to detect and track disturbances to an electromagnetic field in the area. The gateway is configured to form a data link between the network and the DP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Toni S. Habib, Wassim S. Habib
  • Patent number: 8134461
    Abstract: The invention relates to controlling a lighting system by proximity sensing of a spotlight control device, particularly to controlling a spotlight generated by a lighting system such as a large LED lighting array by means of a spotlight control device. The invention provides a device (10) for controlling a lighting system (12) by proximity sensing of a spotlight control device (14), wherein a predefined area (24) around the spotlight control device (14) is illuminated if a proximity sensor (16) signals presence of the spotlight control device (14) within the predefined area (24). The invention has the main advantage that it allows to control complex lighting systems containing dozens or even thousands of lighting devices such as large LED arrays with one device, the spotlight control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Koninkiljke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Markus Gerardus Leonardus Maria Van Doorn
  • Patent number: 8134455
    Abstract: For sending an emergency call as a function of a predefined accident criterion, together with the emergency call, dynamic sensor data are transmitted which have been recorded in particular shortly before the occurrence of an accident criterion and which allow conclusions to be drawn about the accident situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Flick, Lars Placke, Holger Modler, Achim Dahlhoff
  • Patent number: 8134462
    Abstract: Disclosed is a floating sensor system having a casing that encloses a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes a digital processor and a non-volatile memory. The casing also encloses a data bus that connects the microcontroller to an external environment sensor, an RF transceiver, and a battery. The non-volatile memory includes a history file that maintains a record of events sensed by the external environment sensors. The digital processor is configured to establish a pattern of expected external environmental behavior based on the record of events. The digital processor is also configured to emit a signal through the RF transceiver from the system when an unexpected event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Nghia Tran, Michael R. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 8120482
    Abstract: A mobile sensor system and method for managing inventory of a store includes at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner for receiving readings from RFID tags, at least one external sensors for detecting at least one external events other than RF signals from the RFID tags, and a processor configured to update an RFID database for storing the readings from the RFID tags, wherein the update is based on a correlation function of the readings from the RFID tags and the external events detected at the at least one external sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Bennett Ulrich
  • Patent number: 8115626
    Abstract: An occupancy sensing system includes a driver to emit energy in a space, and a sensor to detect energy reflected within the space. An electrical load for the space is controlled in response to an occupancy condition determined in response to the detected energy. The driver may be selectively de-energized. In some embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an unoccupied period. In other embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an occupied period. In some further embodiments, the driver may be de-energized in response to detecting other sources of the type of energy emitted by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hick, Daniel M. Wright
  • Patent number: 8116243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor network having node architecture for performing trust management of neighboring sensor nodes, and to an adaptive method for performing trust management of neighboring sensor nodes for monitoring security in the sensor network. The sensor network includes a base station and a plurality of sensor nodes for reporting sensed information packets to the base station through radiofrequency signals relayed by other sensor nodes. A judge sensor node may have a trust estimator in its node architecture to evaluate trustworthiness of a neighboring suspect sensor node by determining a personal reference and receiving personal references from jury sensor nodes. Based on the trustworthiness of the suspect, the judge may modify a route for transmitting packets to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yao Zhiying, Yoonmee Doh, Sung Joong Kim, Cheol-Sig Pyo, Jong-Suk Chae
  • Patent number: 8111156
    Abstract: This invention is an intruder detection system which integrates wireless sensor network and security robots. Multiple ZigBee wireless sensor modules installed in the environment can detect intruders and abnormal conditions with various sensors, and transmit alert to the monitoring center and security robot via the wireless mesh network. The robot can navigate in the environment autonomously and approach to a target place using its localization system. If any possible intruder is detected, the robot can approach to that location, and transmit images to the mobile devices of the securities and users, in order to determine the exact situation in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Kai-Tai Song, Chia-Hao Lin, Chih-Sheng Lin, Su-Hen Yang
  • Publication number: 20120025979
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending messages regarding an emergency at a facility. The messages can be sent to an emergency response service or directly to another facility through a wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network can comprise one or more nodes that route measurement data, such as utility meter reading data. The emergency messages can be assigned a higher priority so that they travel through the wireless mesh network more quickly. A device receiving an emergency message may identify the address of the associated facility, for example, by identifying an address associated with utility service also provided at the same facility. The address can be forwarded to an emergency response service and a confirmation or other message may be sent back to the facility. A device at a facility may receive various messages from a control center, such as a weather center, over the wireless mesh network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Cellnet Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Monnerie, Jeffrey B. Shudark, Stephen J. Chasko
  • Patent number: 8102250
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC
    Inventor: Kweku David Fleming
  • Patent number: 8102242
    Abstract: A group of associated transponders are respectively attached to a plurality of objects, such as sensors or containers. Each transponder includes a memory, a transmitter, a receiver and a controller. The memory stores group data, which includes data related to the respective attached objects. The controller causes the transmitter to autonomously transmit a group interrogation signal and to transmit a response signal in response to receipt of a group interrogation signal from another transponder of the group. The response signal includes at least some of the stored group data. The receiver receives both the group interrogation signals and the response signals from the other transponders of the group. The controller controls the transmitter and receiver and causes the memory to store data related to the respective object to which the transponder is attached and to store the group data included in the received response signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Lincoln H. Charlot, Jr., David L. Acosta, James H. Swindell
  • Patent number: 8099130
    Abstract: A wireless sensor network for monitoring one or more selected environmental characteristics. Multiple wireless signal transceivers, disposed in respective portions of a selected environment, respond to one or more wireless beacon signals by selectively collecting, processing and storing data corresponding to one or more characteristics of such portions of the selected environment, and by selectively transmitting respective wireless response signals containing selected portions of such data. Alternatively, multiple wireless signal transceivers, disposed in respective sub-networks in portions of a selected environment, collect and convey data corresponding to one or more characteristics of such selected environment portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Halla, Ahmad Bahai
  • Publication number: 20120007736
    Abstract: In large systems of ambient condition detectors the respective detectors can each include an RFID-type tag or integrated circuit. The tag can transmit detector identification information and status information wirelessly to a displaced receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Worthington, Sean Everett Stinson
  • Patent number: 8089355
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide the automatic, self-configuration of a communication device to adjust to the user's environmental circumstances. Method includes creating a set of mode templates corresponding to a plurality of potential environmental circumstances and may be stored in a database in the computer readable memory of the communication device. At predetermined intervals, a suite of environmental sensors integral to the communication device may periodically sample the user's environment. The user's environmental circumstances may be derived by an analysis module based on the output of the suite of environmental sensors. The derived set of environmental circumstances may then be compared to the mode templates to determine a matching mode template. A change to a plurality of communication device operational settings may then be made based at least partially on the matching mode template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Jeffrey Aaron
  • Patent number: 8089910
    Abstract: A sensor node of a wireless sensor network includes a first sensor node module for generating and processing, when it is activated, a first sensing signal to detect occurrence of an event based on the first sensing signal; and a second sensor node module for generating and processing a second sensing signal, when it is activated, to monitor state transition of the event based on the second sensing signal. Further, when the occurrence of the event is detected, the first sensor node module is inactivated and the second sensor node module is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yoonmee Doh, Yao Zhiying, Noseong Park, Sun-Joong Kim, Cheol Sig Pyo
  • Patent number: 8085145
    Abstract: A personal environmental monitoring method and system and a portable monitor for use therein permit real-time mobile monitoring of environmental conditions in the immediate vicinity to ensure compatibility with the particular environmental sensitivities of a person being monitored. The portable monitor may be a fully integrated mobile device that provides real-time mobile monitoring of immediate environmental conditions without network connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongji Fu, Deepak Ayyagari, Nhedti Colquitt
  • Patent number: 8081082
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for monitoring patterns of motion are provided. A signal is received from a sensor on a user, wherein movement of the user causes the sensor to generate power to emit a signal indicative of the movement of the user. The signal is analyzed to form a current pattern of motion. The current pattern of motion is compared to a baseline pattern of motion associated with the user. A difference between the current pattern of motion and the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user is determined to form a difference. The difference is compared to a predetermined threshold. Responsive to the difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, an alert is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nadeem Malik, Katherine June Pearsall, Adrian Rutledge, Elizabeth Vera Woodward
  • Patent number: 8077027
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording and evaluating faults in event transmissions between security system components. A panel in a monitored building may send event signals to a receiver located in a central monitoring facility. Event signals may represent a status of individual alarms or sensors in the building, or they may provide a status of the system as a whole. If the quality of the transmission is substandard or in a format that is unacceptable to the receiver, the signal data associated with the event is recorded for analysis. Recording is controlled by a line card associated with the receiver, and the signal data is stored in local or remote memory. Signal data can be manually or automatically analyzed to determine the source of the fault. In addition, recorded signal data can be used to build customized software to recognize signals from previously unrecognized or faulty panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephane Foisy
  • Patent number: 8077012
    Abstract: A system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first clock signal generator generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, and a second clock signal generator generating a second clock signal at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. The first clock signal is used to calibrate the second clock signal generator. An RFID device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a crystal controlled first clock signal generator generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, a second clock signal generator generating a second clock signal at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, and an activate circuit. The second clock signal generator is inactive until activated by the activate circuit. The first clock signal is used to calibrate the second clock signal generator. Methods are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intelleflex Corporation
    Inventors: Naresh Batra, Robert Olah, William Henry Bares
  • Patent number: 8072311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mojix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Sadr, Scott Stephens, Christopher Jones
  • Patent number: 8063775
    Abstract: An energy management system includes a control and uplink module adapted to selectively monitor and control at least one energy consuming device, the control and uplink module in communication with an electronic storage device and adapted to transmit data to the electronic storage device, a sensor in communication with the control and uplink module, wherein the sensor is adapted to execute a pre-configured measurement and transmit a signal to the control and uplink module representative of the measurement, and an interface adapted for the entry of at least one operational parameter to the control and uplink module, at least one of the signal from the sensor and the operational parameter employed by the control and uplink module to facilitate an operation of the energy consuming device, the interface employing the data transmitted to the storage device to provide an analysis of an operation of the energy consuming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bay Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Reed, Douglas A. Wittenmyer
  • Patent number: 8063764
    Abstract: A system for detecting and responding to emergency events includes a plurality of local emergency detection and response units positioned in a local area. Each unit includes one or more local sensing agents and a local detection manager. Each local sensing agent is operable to detect emergency events by a change in a given emergency factor in the local area and to convey data representative of the change in the emergency factor to a detection manager which is operable to receive the data and to assign a value to the emergency factor according to the data. A central location controller unit and/or the local emergency detection and response unit are operable for classifying the assigned value of the emergency function to form an assigned value classification and for initiating the local emergency event response agent to implement a response protocol according to the assigned value classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
    Inventors: Alex Mihailidis, David Giesbrecht, Jesse Hoey, Tracy Lee, Vicky Young, Melinda Hamill, Jennifer Boger, John Paul Lobos, Babak Taati
  • Patent number: 8063773
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing data associated with an acoustic event. In an exemplary implementation, there is provided a method of data processing including determining a location of an acoustic event and processing information associated with directing a camera towards the location. Moreover, one exemplary method may include processing information from and/or related to one or more sensors in an area to be monitored, processing data associated with the acoustic event, and determining a location of a source of the acoustic event as a function of the information from and/or related to the acoustic event. Further exemplary implementations include performing processing associated with providing instructions to direct a camera towards the determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Shotspotter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Fisher, Kevin Baxter, Fred Holmes
  • Publication number: 20110279264
    Abstract: A multi-mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position, status, and alerts. In one embodiment, the multi-mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system. In this example, the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments (e.g., within a port facility, on-board a ship, etc.), while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments. Both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end-to-end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Jay Brosius
  • Patent number: 8058991
    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: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
    Inventors: Francis S. Zajac, James Peverill, Tony Bachta
  • Patent number: 8054182
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising providing at an inspection site a hand-held inspection wand that transceives audio-visual information with a command/remote site a safe distance from the inspection site and that is staffed by law enforcement personnel, stopping the vehicle at the remote site, instructing an occupant of the vehicle to exit the vehicle and grasp the wand, transmitting instructions from the command site to the occupant via the wand, that direct the occupant to capture video of the vehicle at the remote site using the wand, capturing video of the vehicle using the wand, transmitting the captured video from the wand to the command site, and displaying the transmitted captured video at the command site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Protagoras N. Cutchis
  • Patent number: 8054161
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing a transmit leakage signal of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided. The apparatus includes: a first power distributor distributing a transmission signal to output a first transmission signal and a second transmission signal; a second power distributor distributing the second transmission signal to output a third transmission signal and a fourth transmission signal; a first amplitude/phase converter converting an amplitude and a phase of the first transmission signal to generate a first converted signal; a second amplitude/phase converter converting an amplitude and a phase of the third transmission signal to generate a second converted signal; a first power combiner combining the first converted signal with a first leakage signal generated in association with the fourth transmission signal; and a second power combiner combining the second converted signal with a second leakage signal generated in association with the fourth transmission signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Donghan Lee, Ji-Hoon Bae, Cheng-Hao Quan, Kwang-Soo Cho, Gil Young Choi, Jong-Suk Chae, Sang-Gi Kang
  • Patent number: 8049638
    Abstract: A fluid sensor comprises a sensor housing, a sensor package, an actuator and a switch. The sensor package is disposed within the sensor housing and includes first and second screens and at least one sensing membrane. The sensing membrane is disposed between the first and second screens and is adapted to expand when exposed to a predetermined quantity of a first predetermined fluid. The actuator is disposed proximate the sensor package within the sensor housing and moveable between a first position and a second position through an intermediate position. The switch is disposed proximate the actuator and is operable between closed and open positions. When the actuator is in the second position at least a portion of the actuator depresses the switch to control an electrical circuit connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Perma-Pipe, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Bailey, Steven Kubicek
  • Patent number: 8049618
    Abstract: An indoor location system having a sensor and a method for checking an indoor location using the indoor location system are disclosed. The method includes: calculating a current location coordinate by using nodes; calculating a first movement distance by comparing the current location coordinate and a stored previous location coordinate; calculating a second movement distance through a sensor; and storing the current location coordinate instead of the previous location coordinate when the distance between the first movement distance and the second movement distance is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Accordingly, an accurate location of an object can be recognized indoors and an error can be prevented from being caused when the location of the object is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kweon Park, Won Suk Yang, Yun Je Oh, Joon Oo Kim, Jeong Rok Park, Sang Mook Lee, Jin Serk Baik, Do Young Ha
  • Publication number: 20110260862
    Abstract: A monitoring method for a security system is disclosed. The security system mainly comprises a remote communication device, a local communication device, a main controller and a main sensor or a plurality of main sensors. Each main sensor detects the status of a monitoring location, and sends sending an output signal to the main controller when each main sensor is triggered. The main controller collects output signals sent by each main sensor, and transmits the collected output signals to the local communication device. The local communication device and remote communication device establish a link via a communication connection to transform the received output signals into a warning message to return to the remote communication device whereby a user is informed of the status occurred in a remote monitoring location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Fu-Cheng PAN
  • Patent number: 8044766
    Abstract: An assistive apparatus and method for remote control of an appliance by a subject are provided. The apparatus can comprise a tracer unit affixed to the tongue of the subject such that a change in position of the tongue changes position of the tracer; at least one sensor for detecting a position of the tracer unit; and a transmitter for transmitting a sensor signal to an appliance based on the detected position of the tracer unit, wherein the sensor signal effects control of the appliance. A method for tracking movement, position, or both of a tongue in a subject using the assistive apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Maysam Ghovanloo, Gautham Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8045511
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transmitting sensor data by using AER sensing and collaborative sensing in order to increase the energy efficiency in a wireless sensor network. The method includes calculating an AER for each of said at least one sensor using sensor data measured from said at least one sensor and sensor profile information corresponding to said at least one sensor, and determining sensor data to be transmitted to a higher node from among sensor data provided by the sensor module based on the AER.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Je-Hyok Ryu, Hyo-Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 8040239
    Abstract: A lighting control system (1) comprises: a communication bus (2); at least one extension movement detector (30) issuing detection pulses (DOS) over said communication bus in response to detecting a movement, at first time intervals (T1) determined by a sensor timer (34); one master luminaire (10) comprising a lamp (11) and a master controller (13) issuing master command signals (MCS) over said bus in response to detection pulses (DOS) received over said bus; and at least one slave luminaire (20) comprising a lamp (21) and a slave controller (23) being responsive to the master control signals (MCS) received over said bus to switch the corresponding lamp ON and OFF. Whenever the master controller receives a detection pulse, it starts a master timer (15) and switches the lamps ON. If the master timer times out (T2) without the master controller receiving any detection pulses, the master controller switches the lamps OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Laurentius Van Boekhout
  • Patent number: 8035508
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for obtaining information about a person includes providing the person with a portable device, arranging at least one sensor on the portable device, obtaining information about the person carrying the portable device or an environment around the person carrying the portable device using the at least one sensor of the portable device without manual interaction, and transmitting the obtained information from the portable device to a remote facility. The portable device may be a cell phone or PDA. The location of the cell phone or PDA may be provided by the cell phone or PDA or determined from the information at the remote facility from information provided by the cell phone or PDA relating to, for example, reception of signals thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 8035490
    Abstract: In a wireless tag identification and processing architecture and infrastructure, a method and system that eliminates redundant reporting and processing of the same event observed by different reader/sensors. Reader/sensors and their respective connected controllers are configured as peers when they observe or cover the same spatial region. When an event is observed within the spatial region, the first controller to receive the event data reports the electronic tag data and event data to the next higher processing domain and to its peer controllers. Then when the same electronic tag data or other event data indicating that a subsequent event is actually the same event as observed earlier is received by another peer controller, the another peer controller does not report nor process the electronic tag data and other event data to the next higher processing domain or to its peer controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christian L. Hunt, Jake Palmer
  • Patent number: 8035511
    Abstract: A method for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes providing information in a variety of ways based upon the processed data. The network sensor has a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors in a monitored space, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The received data is processed to determine pedestrian traffic patterns in the monitored space, which can be used to design a layout and placement of goods for sale in the monitored space. The information for the pedestrian traffic patterns can also be provided in exchange for a fee to customers requesting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Robert L. Brott, Silva K. Theiss, Jennifer R. Yi, Kathy L. Hagen
  • Patent number: 8031068
    Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Steadman, James Fitzgerald