Proximity Patents (Class 340/539.23)
  • Patent number: 11954992
    Abstract: A monitoring system (10) including: an information accumulation program (32) configured to accumulate position information of a user terminal (100) carried by a watched person, the position information being determined based on information uploaded from the user terminal; a living area determination program (33) configured to determine a living area of the watched person, based on position information accumulated in a predetermined period among pieces of the accumulated position information; a determination program (37) configured to determine a positional relationship between a position of the user terminal, which is determined based on the position information of the first terminal, and the living area; and a notification program (28) configured to notify a guardian terminal (209) of a determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: BSIZE INC.
    Inventor: Keita Yagi
  • Patent number: 11922641
    Abstract: A load-monitoring system includes a vehicle processor and a camera mounted in a trailer. The vehicle, via the processor, displays a first image of a trailer load, received from a trailer-mounted camera and receives selection of a monitoring point on the image, via a touch-sensitive user interface displaying the image or other selection mechanism. The vehicle also receives selection of a fixed point on the image, via the user interface. If the monitoring point moves more than a threshold amount, relative to the fixed point, for example, in subsequent images captured by the camera, the vehicle alerts the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Gabel, Joshua Sharpe, Keith Weston, Andrew Brown
  • Patent number: 11856485
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a first wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal in conformity with a designated communication standard, and at least one second wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal in conformity with the designated communication standard. The first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device perform a designated process more than once on a basis of transmission and reception of the wireless signal. Each of the designated processes includes any of transmission and reception of the wireless signal. Respective wireless signals used in the designated processes include different pieces of secure information used to determine transmission sources of the wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Yosuke Ohashi
  • Patent number: 11694058
    Abstract: Mounts for securing a tracking device to an object. The mounts include a case and a coupler system. The case includes a body defining a port complementarily configured with the tracking device to receive the tracking device. The coupler system is configured to couple the case to the object and includes a fabric expanse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Elevation Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Hopkins, Jacob Hull
  • Patent number: 11642033
    Abstract: A vital-sign radar sensor uses wireless internet signals to detect vital signs. It includes a first and second demodulation unit to demodulate an incident and reflected wireless internet signal with an injection-locked oscillator into a first and second demodulated signal, respectively. The combined use of the first and second demodulated signals can eliminate the influence of communication modulation on the extraction process of a Doppler shift due to vital signs. Moreover, the vital-sign radar sensor is a receive-only device so that it won't cause interference to ambient wireless communication networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tzyy-Sheng Horng, Yi-Chen Lai, Jui-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 11556726
    Abstract: Provided is a dynamic label for a product. Data that is generated at different nodes in the supply chain can be linked to a unique identifier associated with the product. At a particular node, the dynamic label may be added to the product, container, or package. The dynamic label may include a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) tag with a value that can be read using a user device. The dynamic label may be connected to the unique identifier. When the product reaches a consumer, the consumer may use a device to read the dynamic label, and pass the value from the dynamic label to a host. The host may identify the connection between the dynamic label and the unique identifier, and may provide the data, that is generated by different nodes in the supply chain and that is associated with the unique identifier, to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Offstage Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny Davis
  • Patent number: 11385316
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for locating a wireless access device relative to a vehicle. The method can include receiving, from a wireless access device, a beacon message at each of two or more antennas positioned within a vehicle and determining, based at least in part on the beacon message received at each of the two or more antennas, a position of the wireless access device relative to the vehicle. One or more systems of the vehicle can be configured based at least in part on the determined position of the wireless access device relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Maurizio Bocca, Benoit le Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 11361635
    Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices arranged in a wireless network, wherein the plurality of security devices are arranged in a planogram and each configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of security devices configured to wirelessly communicate data with a remote device. The system also includes a plurality of electronic keys arranged in the wireless network and configured to wirelessly communicate data with the plurality of security devices and/or the remote device. Each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the plurality of security devices. The system also includes a gateway configured to receive the data from the plurality of security devices and electronic keys via wireless communication, wherein the gateway is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Baker, Gary A. Taylor, Steven R. Bohon, Jeffrey A. Grant, Christopher J. Fawcett, James Richard Terrell, II
  • Patent number: 11356807
    Abstract: Beacon systems include a beacon including a transmitter, a processor, and a sensor for collecting sensor data, wherein the beacon broadcasts a beacon message comprising informational data based on a value of the sensor data and data regarding a minimum received signal strength for the relevance of the beacon message. The beacon system may include a receiving device, wherein the receiving device comprises a processor and an alarm adapted to be triggered by the beacon message, wherein the processor determines a relevance of the beacon message by comparing the minimum received signal strength for the relevance of the beacon message to an actual received signal strength of the beacon message, wherein, if the actual received signal strength is greater than or equal to the minimum received signal strength, the receiving device is within a range of relevance and the alarm is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Industrial Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Raghu Arunachalam, L. Robert Crouthamel
  • Patent number: 11127276
    Abstract: An emergency alarm system for generating an alarm in an emergency arising in a restricted space. The system includes an alarm unit and a fob unit. The alarm unit includes a compact and portable housing that can be mounted to any structure of a premise. The alarm unit further includes one or more buzzers for audio alert, a first visual indicator, and a second visual indicator producing different color illuminations. The fob unit can be worn around a neck or arm of a person entering the restricted space. The fob unit includes a button that can be actuated by the person triggering the alarm unit. The first visual indicator can be turned on when the person wearing the fob unit enters the restricted space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: James Michael Prokes
  • Patent number: 11025250
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillating sensor for a measurement device comprising: an oscillator comprising: a resonance circuit for providing an oscillation signal; a gain stage configured to provide a feed-back to the resonance circuit to inject energy for excitation of the oscillator to maintain oscillation; at least one calibration element to adjust the open loop gain of the oscillator; a calibration unit to provide a modulated calibration control signal to selectively adjust an electrical measure of the at least one calibration element based on at least one predetermined duty cycle, wherein the calibration unit is further configured to provide the modulated calibration control signal with at least one cycle frequency which depends on the oscillation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Jochen Vater
  • Patent number: 10964371
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of a body in a network without fiducial elements, using signal absorption, and signal forward and reflected backscatter of radio frequency (RF) waves caused by the presence of a biological mass in a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ivani, LLC
    Inventors: John Wootton, Matthew Wootton, Chris Nissman, Victoria Preston, Jonathan Clark, Justin McKinney, Claire Barnes, Zhecan Wang, Xinyu Xiao
  • Patent number: 10904698
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of a body in a network without fiducial elements, using signal absorption, and signal forward and reflected backscatter of RF waves caused by the presence of a biological mass in a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ivani, LLC
    Inventors: John Wootton, Matthew Wootton, Chris Nissman, Victoria Preston, Jonathan Clark, Justin McKinney, Claire Barnes
  • Patent number: 10853825
    Abstract: Systems for monitoring and analyzing behavior in various applications and uses thereof. Generally, the systems (and uses thereof) are for monitoring and analyzing consumer purchasing behavior in real-time to drive sales via engaging digital customer experiences. In embodiments, the disclosed system can include a retail store system that features and includes MAC address tracking, user eye tracking, object identification of goods on shelves, open API, advertising broker rules engine. In addition, the system can include a customer engagement with interactive output displays including displays with demographic intelligence, displays with demographics and MAC—panels throughout store at product, displays with demographics and MAC—single panel or few panels scattered throughout store, automated customer assistance at shelf, customer purchase at shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ALPHA MODUS CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Garel, Jim Wang
  • Patent number: 10847017
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor is configured to randomly select one code from a plurality of predefined codes to identify a first code. A transceiver is operatively coupled to the processor. The transceiver is configured to send a signal representing the first code. The transceiver is also configured to receive a signal representing a second code. The processor is configured to determine whether the second code corresponds to the first code or a third code from the plurality of predefined codes. An actuator is operatively coupled to the processor. The actuator is configured to send a first alert in response to the second code corresponding to the first code and representing an object reflecting the signal representing the first code. The actuator is configured to send a second alert in response to the second code corresponding to the third code and representing a different device being within a predefined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Discovery Democracy LLC
    Inventors: Eric Haseltine, Carl Hannigan, Steven Thornton
  • Patent number: 10803714
    Abstract: A system and method for visualizing, tracking and maintaining social distancing includes a visible boundary generating device having a lighting unit that is disposed within a main body, a user attachment mechanism and a controller for selectively communicating with an external processor enabled device. The lighting unit functioning to generate a visible zone of colored light in 360 degrees around a user to whom the device is secured. The visible light representing a safe zone having a radius that conforms to a specified social distance. The system also including a social distancing mobile application for execution on a smartphone or other processor enabled device. The social distancing mobile application including functionality for sending location information to a system administrator device, receiving proximity alerts from the system administrator device and providing notification to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Rajeev Khera
  • Patent number: 10771948
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a spatial position of a mobile transmitter is provided. In particular, the mobile transmitter may be attached to or included in an object of interest. By analyzing the signal strengths of radio frequency signals emitted by the transmitter, a spatial position of the mobile transmitter can be determined, and it is possible to detect whether or not the spatial position of the mobile transmitter is outside an allowable area. By applying the monitoring of the spatial position to a radio frequency system on a vessel, a reliable man-over-board detection can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Haubs
  • Patent number: 10628815
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for programmatically grouping consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a point-of-sale system including a merchant device and one or more communication beacons. The communication beacons may be placed at locations of interest and may be configured to broadcast different beacon identifiers. Nearby consumer devices that receive the beacon identifier may be determined to be associated with a point-of-sale order and suitable point-of-sale functionality may be provided. In some embodiments, a peer consumer device may be selected as an ad hoc communication beacon for broadcasting a beacon identifier to other consumer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hubert Woo, Mahmudul Arefin Din, Robert James Skillington, Michael Chen, Tihomir Tsankov Georgiev
  • Patent number: 10567914
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a method for determining a location of motion detected by wireless communication devices in a wireless communication network includes obtaining a set of motion indicator values associated with a prior time frame. The method also includes generating a prior probability vector based on the set of motion indicator values and comprising values for wireless communication devices connected to the wireless communication network during the prior time frame. The method additionally includes selecting the prior probability vector or one of a plurality of initialization probability vectors based on the set of motion indicator values, a configuration of the wireless communication network, or both. The method further includes using the selected probability vector and a set of motion indicators associated a second, subsequent time frame to identify a location associated with motion that occurred during the subsequent time frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Cognitive Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Mohammad Omer, Stephen Arnold Devison, Oleksiy Kravets
  • Patent number: 10539439
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for device-free motion detection and presence detection within an area of interest. A plurality of nodes, configured to be arranged around the area of interest, form a wireless network. The plurality of nodes transmit wireless signals as radio waves and receive transmitted wireless signals. The received signal strength (RSS) of the transmitted wireless signals between the plurality of nodes are measured and a value is reported. A computing device receives the reported values for the measured RSS and tracks the reported values over time. The computing device processes the reported values using an aggregate disturbance calculation to detect motion and presence within the area of interest. The computing device may notify notification device of a detected disturbance within the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Xandem Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Joseph Wilson
  • Patent number: 10497230
    Abstract: A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, determines whether a human being is in proximity to the door or window inside a monitored premises. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and an alarm signal is not transmitted to a central security panel, thus reducing false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lamb, Michael Bailey, Thomas Thibault, George Seelman, Carlo Q. Petrucci
  • Patent number: 10401178
    Abstract: This specification describes a method comprising causing a trackable device to transition between a first positioning mode and a second positioning mode, wherein, in the first positioning mode, the trackable device causes wireless transmission of one or more data packets each including a data portion for enabling determination of a bearing between the trackable device and a locator device and, in the second positioning mode, the trackable device causes wireless transmission of one or more data packets which do not include the data portion for enabling determination of the bearing between the trackable device and the locator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Joni Jantunen, Veli-Matti Kolmonen, Oskari Koskimies, Ilari Teikari
  • Patent number: 10354510
    Abstract: A detection system for detecting a moving object crossing a border includes a sense device and a positioning device. The sense device is disposed on a moving object and has a first position module. The first position module generates a first position signal based on the sense device. The positioning device is signally connected with the sense device and has a calculating module, a second position module, a detecting module, and a warning module. The positioning device receives the first position signal. The calculating module sets a border. The second position module generates a second position signal based on the positioning device. The detecting module determines if the sense device is out of the border based on the first position signal and the second position signal. The warning module sends out a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Harbinger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yuan-Tung Hung, Der-Hsin Chou, Kou-Sou Huang, Yu-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 10345430
    Abstract: A method includes collecting m atmospheric pressure values and n groups of WI-FI information within a preset period, determining an atmospheric pressure change rate according to at least two of the m atmospheric pressure values, when an absolute value of the atmospheric pressure change rate is greater than a preset value, determining, according to the n groups of WI-FI information, k access points (APs) that send the n groups of WI-FI information and ni received signal strengths (RSSs) respectively corresponding to the k APs, obtaining floors on which the k APs are respectively located, determining two candidate floors according to the floors on which the k APs are respectively located and the ni RSSs respectively corresponding to the k APs, and determining a target floor from the two candidate floors according to the atmospheric pressure change rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Henghui Lu
  • Patent number: 10321270
    Abstract: Indoor positioning systems and methods including a reverse-beacon for location determination and presence sensing technology. The reverse-beacon is any device comprising a transceiver and a computer operating with system nodes and will generally be in the form of a smartphone or other mobile computer. The systems and methods utilize wireless signals of any device that adheres to a general-purpose communication protocol, such as Bluetooth™ and Wi-Fi, to provide location-based services such as location determination and acting as a ground-truth field for presence sensing systems. The systems and methods operate by passively licensing to wireless communications that take place during the ordinarily course of operation of a wireless network irrespective of the presence of the reverse-beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ivani, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Wootton, Liani Lye, Kevin Zhang, Boris Dieseldorff, John Wootton
  • Patent number: 10168684
    Abstract: A power profile management method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor input data associated with a user of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computer processor retrieves power consumption data comprising power consumption levels for the power consumption devices. The computer processor generates and transmits a mobile usage portfolio associated said user and the power consumption devices. The computer processor generates a load usage prediction report associated with the user and the power consumption devices. The load usage prediction report is generated based on the mobile usage portfolio and said power consumption data. The computer processor transmits the load usage prediction report to a power provider utility for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Julianne F. Haugh, Anne R. Sand
  • Patent number: 10156930
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a capacitive touch panel unit and a pressure sensor unit. The capacitive touch panel unit includes a film and touch panel electrodes, and the pressure sensor unit includes a film and pressure sensor electrodes. An electrode layer in which the pressure sensor electrode is formed is the same as an electrode layer in which the touch panel electrode is formed. An electrode layer in which the pressure sensor electrode is formed has a non-formation portion where the pressure sensor electrode is not formed at the position opposite to the touch panel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kano, Kenichi Mori
  • Patent number: 10045327
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in accordance with an embodiment, data services on a mobile communication device, such as communications, application use, functionality, operability, and/or presence, may be monitored against rules available from a central data center repository. The rules may be enforced on the mobile communication device through a token device in short range wireless communications with the mobile communication device. Thus, the token device may prevent certain data services of the mobile communication device within a local area to the token device. An alert may be provided to an administrator when unauthorized data services are detected and/or a message may be sent to a third party to prevent the unauthorized activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: EAGENCY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Lotter, Timothy S. Allard
  • Patent number: 10002516
    Abstract: The umbrella cooperates with a software application adapted to run on a mobile communications device wirelessly synced to the umbrella. The umbrella includes a communications module adapted to transmit a wireless beacon signal in response to the detection of movement of the umbrella. The software application detects the beacon signal when the smartphone is within range of the umbrella and generates an alert when the beacon signal is no longer being received, indicating that the smartphone is no longer within range and the umbrella has been forgotten. In one embodiment, the GPS application on the smartphone is cause to generate a location update signal in response to detection of the beacon signal such that the software application can run continuously in the background on the smartphone to ensure timely range entry and exit notifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: David Kahng
  • Patent number: 9894487
    Abstract: A tool and computer-implemented method for not only determining co-location of items based on rules, but also automatically generating rules based upon arrival at some location in the future. Rules are created both based upon items to be located, as well as combined with positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Salil S. Nadgauda
  • Patent number: 9779609
    Abstract: A temperature threshold monitoring system for monitoring an ambient temperature within a discrete space, and methods of making and using such a temperature threshold monitoring system, whereby the temperature threshold monitoring system includes a temperature sensor and a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor. The microcontroller can be configured to generate an alert indicium when the temperature sensor senses an ambient temperature within the discrete space which corresponds to a predetermined low-temperature threshold or a predetermined high-temperature threshold. As to particular embodiments, the temperature threshold monitoring system can be configured for coupling to a dependent object within the discrete space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas L. Schell
  • Patent number: 9741225
    Abstract: There is provided a safety method of detecting and signaling presence of a danger related to a danger source, the method comprising providing a base station at the danger source comprising first detectors and second detectors, the base station being adapted to determine an angular position of a target detected by a first detector among the first detectors within a detection zone based on an angular orientation of the first detector known a priori by the base station, and to determine a distance of the target by activating a second detector among the second detectors to measure the distance between the target and the base station in response to the target detection; and providing targets with portable target devices adapted to send signals in response to signals received from the first detectors of the base station. The first detectors are radio frequency transceivers and the second detectors are ultrasound transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Abu Dhabi University
    Inventor: Riad Kanan
  • Patent number: 9692380
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for dynamic volume adjustment. A signal including a detected distance to a person may be received from a proximity sensor of a smart home environment. A volume adjustment for a speaker of the smart home environment may be generated based on the detected distance to the person and a sound level associated with the detected distance to the person. The volume of the speaker may be adjusted based on the volume adjustment. A signal from a sensor of the smart home environment indicating that the sensor has been tripped may be received. The proximity sensor may be triggered based on the received signal indicating the sensor has been tripped to detect a distance to the person to generate the detected distance. An alarm may be sounded through the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Louis Herman, Michael Dixon, Bryan James
  • Patent number: 9621227
    Abstract: Technology is described for proximity based communications. A proximity boundary can be defined with dimensions defined by a communication range of one of a first Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a second SRC device. The first SRC device and the second SRC device can be configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI). A proximity signal can be communicated in the proximity boundary between the first SRC device and the second SRC device. A security permission can be provided to enable selected data to be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device in the proximity boundary when the proximity signal is detected between the first SRC device and the second SRC device. The selected data can be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device using a radio frequency (RF) communication standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Patent number: 9546870
    Abstract: Generally, this disclosure describes dynamic route mapping between mobile devices. Techniques may include initiating communication between a first mobile device at a first location and a second mobile device at a second location; receiving a first location indicator by the second mobile device, the first location indicator transmitted from the first mobile device in response to a request from the second mobile device, the first location indicator corresponding to the first location; determining a convergence point based on at least one of the first location and the second location; mapping a travel route from at least one of the first location and the second location to the convergence point; and displaying the travel route on at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jim S. Baca, David Stanasolovich, Mark H. Price, Burges M. Karkaria
  • Patent number: 9361741
    Abstract: A wireless device access system employs short-range wireless communication to require the proximity of a user device to a structure prior to communicating an unlock request. The access system authenticates the unlock request and the proximity of the user to the structure prior to transmitting an unlock command to the structure. Additionally, the wireless device may require the proximity of a user token prior to operation and/or the access system may include an override within the structure blocking any unlock command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Yikes LLC
    Inventors: William Benjamin Robertson, Robert P. Barden
  • Patent number: 9353965
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a user interface configured to display at least a first graphical display and a second graphical display, a first proximity sensor having a first responsive range, and a second proximity sensor having a second responsive range. A processing system may be programmed to control the user interface by receiving an indication of a user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor while not receiving an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and causing the user interface to display the second graphical display. The processing system may also be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and an indication of the user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor and cause the user interface to transition from the second graphical display to the first graphical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Goyal, John Stefanski, David Saltzman, Mark Stefanski, David Sloo, Isabel Thornton
  • Patent number: 9100788
    Abstract: A system, device and method for a proximity sensor network are disclosed. The proximity detection device includes a short range wireless receiver, a wireless network transceiver; and a controller connected to the receiver and transceiver. The device receives a short-range radio signal from a user's mobile communications device, and locates the user and takes various actions based on the identity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gerald Karam, Karrie Hanson, Kermit Hal Purdy
  • Patent number: 9042824
    Abstract: A vehicle computer system comprising a transceiver in a vehicle configured to wirelessly connect with a nomadic device, wherein the nomadic device is capable of running a contextual application which operates at least in part based on vehicle environment data. The vehicle computer system further comprises one or more vehicle modules configured to receive environment data and capable of causing the transceiver to provide the vehicle environment data to the nomadic device for processing by the contextual application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Krishnaswamy Venkatesh Prasad, Christopher Peplin
  • Patent number: 9035767
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing data communication in medical systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Fennell, Lei He, Mark Kent Sloan
  • Patent number: 9030310
    Abstract: A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle that includes a controller, and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle. The protection system further includes a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter. The controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter. The controller may activate an alarm element upon detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Van Wiemeersch, Don D. Price, Eric L. Reed
  • Patent number: 9030313
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive mat to be installed directly within a child's car seat to provide an audible alert to consumers that they have inadvertently left a child unattended in a motor vehicle, enabling them to quickly retrieve the child or infant and effectively prevent tragic scenarios that can result when a child is left unattended in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Idora Pearson
  • Patent number: 9013276
    Abstract: Defining a radio frequency identification read area includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operable to read RFID tags within a specified read area. An RFID transmitter is coupled with the RFID reader and is operable to radiating a modulated carrier in an area adjacent to the specified read area. The RFID reader controls the RFID transmitter to transmit the modulated carrier during a preamble transmission of the RFID reader to prevent any RFID tags in the adjacent area from recognizing an interrogation signal from the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Duron
  • Patent number: 9008804
    Abstract: A portable communicator for operating a field device. The portable communicator is configured to communicate with the field device to configure and/or analyze performance of a field device in an efficient manner. In some embodiments, the portable communicator includes an intuitive user interface that allows the user to perform a relatively limited set of preconfigured procedures on a field device. The portable communicator may communicate with the field device via a wire and/or wirelessly. In one embodiment, the portable communicator is a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, a PDA, a pocket PC, or any Bluetooth-enabled generic mobile communication device. The portable communicator may communicate with the field device via a wireless communication unit (e.g., Bluetooth modem) coupled to the field device. In a process plant environment, in which the field device is coupled to a controller, the portable communicator may communicate with the field device without communicating with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Junk, Bruce F. Grumstrup
  • Patent number: 9000929
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing data communication in medical systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Alan Hayter, Martin J. Fennell, Lei He, Mark Kent Sloan
  • Patent number: 8994880
    Abstract: A system for automatically setting a power saving mode according to a location of a device, such as a TV. The system includes an interface, e.g. GPS receiver, terrestrial broadcast receiver, network interface, etc. for coupling the device to one or more external devices; a processor; programming executable on said processor for performing the following steps: determining the location of the device via communication with the one or more external devices; establishing a power consumption mode according to the determined location of the device and one or more power consumption regulatory requirements associated with said device location; and adjusting a function of the device to modify the power consumption of the device according to said power consumption mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Shintani, Koichi Oshima, Graham Clift, Stephane Lejeune, Brant Candelore
  • Patent number: 8994548
    Abstract: A system includes a receiver configured to receive a signal representing a sequence of user inputs to a portable electronic device and an audible device configured to generate a sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs. A duration and volume of the sound is based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs received within a predetermined time interval. A method includes receiving the signal provided to the portable electronic device within a predetermined time interval and generating the sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Howard Gaboury, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Lisa Therese Boran, Mark George Vojtisek
  • Patent number: 8988198
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating “feelings” from tangible objects in a responsive and cost efficient manner are provided. In accordance with such systems and methods, near field communication (NFC) tags are embedded into tangible objects, e.g., Compact Discs (CDs), books, posters, etc., where the NFC tags include feeling/sensory feedback parameters associated with the object in which the NFC tag is embedded. That is, such NFC tags are able to stimulate one or more senses, such as the human senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Thus, sensory feedback is provided via tangible objects, where only minimal cost (e.g., a few cents) is added to the production/manufacture of such objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mika Pesonen, Eero Aho, Jari Nikara
  • Patent number: 8988246
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring proximally configurable devices deployed in a region that includes scanning the region that includes multiple deployed proximally configurable devices with a directed radiation beam and transmitting data, utilizing the directed radiation beam, to one or more of the deployed proximally configurable devices where the data is associated with the location of the directed radiation beam during scanning within the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Mirov
  • Patent number: 8971932
    Abstract: An apparatus, system or method for use of encrypted or confidential location or position, time, and unique identifier information (LPTI Information) comprising mobile device encoded unique identifiers (UIs), to register the presence of one or more persons in a retail or service store or outlet, vehicle, financial, educational, governmental, transportation, shipping, cargo, residential, vacation, travel, power generation or distribution, water or food supply or storage, or data storage location or position, for use in identifying potential suspects, conspirators, participants or witnesses for criminal, regulated, tort, or prohibited activity for use by law enforcement or a court, and which information is kept encrypted until authorized access is granted to law enforcement or a court by issuance or a warrant or other appropriate legal authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Secure Sigint, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Mapes