Sensing Of Electromagnetic Energy (e.g., Light, Infrared, Or Microwave) Patents (Class 340/545.3)
  • Patent number: 11230872
    Abstract: A door operator and a method for set-up of the door operator to operate a door leaf of a door set, with the door operator including a control unit, a drive unit, and a user interface, include the steps of receiving a set of set-up parameters for the door operator, installing the set of set-up parameters in the control unit, controlling the drive unit based on the set of set-up parameters installed in the control unit, and sending the set of set-up parameters to a remote server via a communication network for storing a backup of the set of set-up parameters on the remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
    Inventors: Stefan Paulsson, Sven-Gunnar Soderqvist
  • Patent number: 11162292
    Abstract: A door operator for operating a door leaf of a door set includes a control unit, a drive unit and a user interface. The control unit detects that the door operator is in a first mode to receive a set of set-up parameters. In the first mode the control unit detects an external data storage, provides access to the external data storage, and automatically receives a set of set-up parameters from the external data storage. The door operator installs the set of set-up parameters in the control unit. The door operator controls the drive unit to operate the door leaf based on the set of set-up parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
    Inventor: Sven-Gunnar Soderqvist
  • Patent number: 10971804
    Abstract: Wireless wearable devices having self-steering antennas are disclosed. A disclosed example wearable device includes an antenna to be communicatively coupled to a wireless data transceiver of a base station. The disclosed example wearable device also includes a steering mount coupled to the antenna, where the steering mount is to adjust an orientation of the antenna towards a wireless coverage zone associated with the wireless data transceiver based on a movement of the wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Songnan Yang, Jie Gao, Dounia Baiya, Manish A. Hiranandani, Ulun Karacaoglu
  • Patent number: 10762756
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides microwave intrusion detecting device with multi-direction and multi-range fence which detects human or vehicle intrusions within altering range by transmitting microwave signals and receiving echo signals. It includes pair of detecting units, a signal unit, a processor, a control interface, an alarm unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, and a power supply unit. The pair of detection units are physically composed back-to-back which can form a long-distance electronic fence. The second detection unit can be separated from a main body to adjust the antenna coverage angle to adapt to environment or obstacles. The signal unit generates the frequency modulated continuous wave signal to the two detecting units respectively. The processor can set thresholds segments to from passing gates in microwave intrusion detecting device and can generate an alarm unit message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: U&U ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Ping-Chang Tsao, Hung-Chun Lin, Chang-Ming Yang, Yi-Hsuan Tan, Shuo-Kai Liu
  • Patent number: 10753581
    Abstract: Devices and methods for optical-based tamper detection using variable light characteristics are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a housing, a light source within the housing configured to emit light having an output light characteristic that is variable, a light detector within the housing configured to receive the light emitted by the light source, the light received by the light detector having a received light characteristic, and an optoelectric controller in communication with the light source and the light detector, wherein the optoelectric controller controls the output light characteristic, and compares the received light characteristic to a known received light characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: VeriFone, Inc.
    Inventor: John Henry Barrowman
  • Patent number: 10544923
    Abstract: Devices and methods for optical-based tamper detection using variable light characteristics are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a housing, a light source within the housing configured to emit light having an output light characteristic that is variable, a light detector within the housing configured to receive the light emitted by the light source, the light received by the light detector having a received light characteristic, and an optoelectric controller in communication with the light source and the light detector, wherein the optoelectric controller controls the output light characteristic, and compares the received light characteristic to a known received light characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: VERIFONE, INC.
    Inventor: John Henry Barrowman
  • Patent number: 10147308
    Abstract: A method may receive, in response to a first event, a first sensor data from a first sensor, and receive, in response to the first event, a second sensor data from a second sensor. The method may select, from among a plurality of event profiles, a first event profile. The first event profile may comprise a first condition matching the first sensor data, a second condition matching the second sensor data, and a plurality of conditions which, when met, indicate the occurrence of the first event. Conditions may include a sensor data, a time period, a user data, a sequence of conditions, or a combination of such data. The first event profile may comprise a first event notice to be provided in response to the occurrence of the first event. The method may provide the first event notice to a recipient indicated by the event profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Laura Rabb, Yash Modi, Timo Bruck, Greg Fulco, Kenneth Louis Herman
  • Patent number: 10147286
    Abstract: A security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an alarm for a window by a security apparatus comprises calculating a first distance between a detector mounted within a movable portion of the window and a window frame edge and calculating a second distance between the detector and the window frame edge. The method further comprises determining whether the movable portion of the window has remained stationary for more than a predetermined time period based on the first distance and the second distance and, if the movable portion has remained stationary for more than the predetermined time period, storing the second distance in a memory, placing the security apparatus into an active alarm state, calculating a third distance observed by the detector, determining a change between the third distance and the second distance, determining whether the change exceeds a predetermined distance, and generating an alarm signal if the change exceeds the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George Seelman, Michael Bailey, Jay Stone, Michael Lamb, Thomas Thibault
  • Patent number: 9460613
    Abstract: Pedestrian detection and counting for traffic intersection control analyzes characteristics of a field of view of a traffic detection zone to determine a location and size of a pedestrian area, and applies protocols for evaluating pixel content in the field of view to identify individual pedestrians. The location and size of a pedestrian area is determined based either on locations of vehicle and bicycle detection areas or on movement of various objects within the field of view. Automatic pedestrian speed calibration with a region of interest for pedestrian detection is accomplished using lane and other intersection markings in the field of view. Detection and counting further includes identifying a presence, volume, velocity and trajectory of pedestrians in the pedestrian area of the traffic detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ITERIS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Whiting, Yan Gao, Dilip Swaminathan, Shashank Jayaram Shivakumar, Robert J. Hwang, Todd W. Kreter
  • Patent number: 9447604
    Abstract: A door handle for motor vehicles includes a handle body and a cover which cooperate to form a handle for a user. An accommodating space for electronic components is formed between the handle body and the cover. A capacitive proximity sensor is arranged in the space. The sensor has an active capacitive face directed towards the cover for detecting approaching movements. The capacitive face is coupled to an evaluation circuit which detects changes in the capacitance of the capacitive face. A sealing element composed of a closed-cell foam is located in the space. The sealing element has at least one continuous opening spaced from an edge. The opening is located above the active face of the proximity sensor and is compressed between the cover and the handle body with the result that at least one area above the active face of the sensor is free of foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Witte, Andreas Peschl
  • Patent number: 9179522
    Abstract: An illumination system and method is disclosed. In one example, the illumination system comprises a light source, a controller controlling the power output of the light source, and a light sensor wirelessly communicating with the controller. In a normal mode, the controller controls the light source such that the light level remains substantially constant. In a change mode, the controller controls the light source such that the light level is gradually changed with a predetermined change rate so as to decrease a deviation from a target level. The controller switches from the normal mode to the change mode on the basis of input signals received from the light sensor. The light sensor measures a light level, and decides whether or not to communicate a signal to the controller. The light sensor refrains from transmitting a signal when receiving the signal does not cause the controller to change its control behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Roger Peter Anna Delnoij
  • Patent number: 9086196
    Abstract: A security gate has two walls defining between them a passage through which an individual passes, for each wall, a transparent lighting window extending over at least part of the wall, for at least one of the edges of the lighting window, a light source intended to light the edge and to generate light beams that propagate through the thickness of the lighting window, and for each lighting window, at least one extraction zone provided on the lighting window and intended to transmit the light beams towards the face of the individual passing through the passage, the light beams thus transmitted forming, with respect to the plane of the lighting window from which they emanate, an angle adapted to the geometry of the security gate so as to optimize the lighting of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: MORPHO
    Inventors: Gilles Monteilliet, Florence Guillemot, Francois Rieul
  • Patent number: 9024760
    Abstract: An ultrasonic occupancy sensor for detecting presence or absence of an occupant in a space includes an ultrasonic receiving circuit having a synchronous rectifier that allows the circuit to detect small-magnitude ultrasonic waves having a Doppler shift. The sensor comprises an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic waves at an ultrasonic operating frequency, and a controller that drives the transmitting circuit with complementary drive signals to control the ultrasonic operating frequency. The synchronous rectifier receives the drive signals from the controller and rectifies an amplified input signal to generate a rectified signal, which is filtered by a filter to generate a filtered signal. The controller receives the filtered signal and determines that the space is occupied if the magnitude of the filtered signal exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8907781
    Abstract: To provide an intrusion detecting device of a type in which a battery for supplying an electric power to both of the main unit and the transmitter is provided in a unit holder for holding the main unit, including the detecting element, to thereby increase the overall electric power capacity needed in the intrusion detecting device as a whole and, also, replacement of those batteries can be accomplished easily, the intrusion detecting device includes a main unit (1) including a detecting element (30), a battery (Ba) detachably mounted on the main unit (1) for supplying an electric power to the main unit (1), and a power supply line (18) fitted to the main unit (1) for supplying an electric power to a wireless transmitter (11) for transmitting wireless an output signal of the main unit (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Optex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomooka, Katsutoshi Tatsuoka
  • Patent number: 8830060
    Abstract: A theft prevention system includes an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag to authenticate access to a predefined area, a laser scanner configured to scan the predefined area and detect an object in the predefined area, and a security component configured to initiate a security action when the detected object is at least one of an unauthenticated object and an unauthorized object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Comtrol Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Pikkarainen, Bradford Beale
  • Patent number: 8797157
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring usage and predicting failure of visual notification appliances are disclosed. The visual notification appliances may be strobe lights, which can be provided with an internal counter circuit that obtains a cumulative tally of the number of times the strobe has flashed. Since strobe service life is directly proportional to the number of flashes, monitoring the number of flashes enables proactive repair or replacement of the strobe prior to failure. Flash counts can be stored in the appliance and periodically transmitted to a remote location such as a fire panel or remote monitoring center. Flash counts can also be locally displayed, or can be readable by a user with a handheld device. Alarms or other indications may automatically be generated to alert building or service personnel when an end of life condition is approaching for one or more strobes. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: John R. Haynes
  • Patent number: 8760293
    Abstract: A sensing device transmits wireless signals when an error between at least one sampled parameter value and at least one predicted parameter value is too great, such that the sensing device transmits wireless signals to a load control device using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the amount of change in a value of the parameter. The sensing device uses the one or more estimators to determine the predicted parameter value, and may transmit the estimators to the load control device if the error is too great. The load control device uses the estimators to determine at least one estimated parameter value and controls the electrical load in response to the estimated parameter value. The sensing device may comprise, for example, a daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in the space around the sensor or a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature around the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8760296
    Abstract: Systems and associated methods for monitoring and/or controlling access to interior portions of consumer-operated kiosks and other enclosures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a consumer-operated kiosk includes an enclosure having a door movable between a closed position that prevents access to the enclosure and an open position that permits access to the enclosure. In this embodiment, an identifier, such as an RFID transponder or tag, is mounted to one of the enclosure or the door, and a reader, such as an RFID reader, is mounted to the other of the enclosure or the door. When the door is closed, the reader detects the identifier. Conversely, when the door moves away form the closed position, the reader ceases to detect the identifier and can generate/send a signal indicating that the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Outerwall Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Patent number: 8750509
    Abstract: A wireless surveillance system and methods of operating same, providing at least one data input capture device (ICDs), including cameras which have the ability to capture video, audio, and/or data from sensors such as temperature and humidity data, while being newly or retrofittably releasably mountable to a track lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Smartvue Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Renkis
  • Patent number: 8742894
    Abstract: The lighting device (10; 42) includes means for switching a light source on and/or off and search means suitable for detecting and identifying neighboring objects (34, 36, 38, 40) present in the proximity of the device and provided with radio transmitter circuits, e.g. of the Bluetooth type, that are suitable for interfacing with the device. The device includes means for causing it to switch off, and possibly to switch on, said means co-operating with the search means (20) to detect the appearance or the disappearance of neighboring objects in the radio range of the lighting device, and to trigger switching off of the light source on detecting the disappearance of at least one neighboring object, conditionally as a function of predetermined criteria. Switching is controlled essentially without orders being transmitted from neighboring objects to cause the lamp to switch off or on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Parrot
    Inventor: Henri Seydoux
  • Patent number: 8736446
    Abstract: Since a sensor signal intermitted on the basis of a sensor signal including an abnormality detection signal, detected as a result of a persistence of an abnormal condition of a security sensor, is generated and an intermitted output signal in dependence on an intermitted sensor signal input is transmitted from a wireless transmitter 17 to a receiver 18, a condition in which the intermitted output signal can be transmitted from the wireless transmitter 17 to the receiver 18 can be retained even though the wireless transmitter 17 is of a type capable of transmitting an output signal in the form of, for example, one pulse on the basis of the signal input, and it is therefore possible for the side of the receiver 18 to recognize assuredly the persistence of the abnormal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Optex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hayashide, Katsutoshi Tatsuoka
  • Patent number: 8707075
    Abstract: A plurality of modules interact to form an adaptive network in which each module transmits and receives data signals indicative of the proximity of objects. A central computer accumulates the data produced or received and relayed by each module. One of the modules is operable as a leaf node having a sleep mode to conserve energy and an interactive mode. The central computer can send a message to the leaf node commanding it to stay awake in order to receive subsequent communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Memsic Transducer Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan Broad, Rahul Kapur, Jaidev Prabhu, Martin Albert Turon, Ning Xu, Xin Yang, Matt Miller
  • Patent number: 8704662
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a structure and for distinguishing between an alarm condition, and a nuisance event such as rain. An optical fibre sensor (20,22) produces a signal indicative of a disturbance and level crossing rates are determined to distinguish between noise in the signal (nuisance event) and a required event. A FFT technique is also disclosed as well as classification of an event by extracting predetermined features from the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Future Fibre Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Seedahmed Mahmoud, Colin Kemp, Alexander Adams, Jim Katsifolis
  • Patent number: 8692670
    Abstract: A security system comprising: a controller; and a plurality of dispensing devices, wherein the controller is configured to receive signals from a plurality of remote detectors and transmit signals to the plurality of dispensing devices, the controller being adapted to determine which of the plurality of detectors has transmitted a signal and transmit a signal to a selected one or more dispensing devices to dispense a fluid based on said determination, wherein each dispensing device is configured to receive signals from the controller and dispense fluid when a signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Selectamark Security Systems PLC
    Inventors: Nigel Hart, Jason Brown
  • Patent number: 8686676
    Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a sensor assembly and a lifting mechanism. The sensor assembly can include at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver, the viewing area of the at least one light receiver being limited in size. The lifting mechanism can include a controller, a drive motor, and a lifting member. The trash can with power operated lid can further include at least one position sensor for detecting the position of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas
  • Patent number: 8638205
    Abstract: A device is provided for preventing a collision between a pivoting element of a vehicle, with an obstacle located in its pivoting area, with a control unit which controls the pivoting movement of the vehicle pivoting element and with a lighting device which is coupled to the pivoting movement and emits light into the pivoting area. Depending on the reflection of the emitted light on the obstacle the control units intervenes in the pivoting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Aiko Boehme, Heiko Bald
  • Patent number: 8626471
    Abstract: A method and system for testing and calibrating an accelerometer of an electronic device are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is a method of testing and calibrating an accelerometer of an electronic device, comprising: detecting the electronic device within a nest of a test fixture; calculating an offset value for each sensing axis of the accelerometer in response to detecting the electronic device within the nest; and storing the offset values in a memory of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Marc Adam Kennedy, Arkady Ivannikov, Aleksandar Papo
  • Patent number: 8624526
    Abstract: A sensing device, for controlling an LED lighting equipment, and more especially for electrical connection with at least one LED lighting equipment that can be driven by a DC power supply, is disclosed. The sensing device, which can be supplied with an external DC power source, comprises a control module, a signal adjusting unit, an object detecting unit, and a manual time-delay adjustor. The control module can send a control signal train of PWM or PFM to the signal adjusting unit, which will in turn send an amplified signal train of PWM or PFM to the LED lighting equipment, so as to control the illuminating level of the equipment. Thus, the problems of the conventional light modulators, resulting from the use of an AC power supply, can be alleviated. Also, the associated cost of the equipment can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: IR-TEC International Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-I Huang
  • Patent number: 8576072
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10) is provided with a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a light signal (16) into a monitoring area (18), a light receiver (26) for receiving and converting the light signal (22) remitted or reflected from an object (20) in the monitoring area (18) into a reception signal, a switching output (30) for the output of a switching signal when the reception signal meets a switching criterion (E), a pre-failure alarm output (32) for the output of a pre-failure alarm signal, and an evaluation unit (28) configured to detect a contamination state that is present when the reception signal meets a contamination criterion (C) but not the switching criterion (E) and to output a pre-failure alarm signal when a contamination period during which the contamination state extends for more than a tolerated period (TPFA,ON) and/or when a contamination state occurrence number that is incremented upon each entry of the contamination state is larger than a tolerated number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Michael Klein
  • Patent number: 8538407
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a building automation system with an FMC cellular device are provided. The FMC cellular device can locally interface with a building automation system via a femtocell base station or a wireless access point, remotely interface with a building automation system over a wide area network via a macrocell base station, or remotely interface with a building automation system via a GAN enabled wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Addy
  • Patent number: 8525688
    Abstract: Illustrated is a system and method to activate an alarm where a mobile computing device is no longer proximate to a docking station that provides inductive charging and data transfer capabilities for the mobile computing device. The computer system includes at least one coil to provide inductive charging for a mobile computing device. Further, the computer system includes a processor to control the inductive charging of the mobile computing device. Additionally, the computer system includes a proximity sensor operatively connected to the processor, the proximity sensor to determine that the mobile computing device is proximate to the computer system. Moreover, the computer system includes an alarm logic module to activate an alarm when the mobile computing device is no longer proximate to the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Manjirnath Chatterjee, Peter N. Skillman, Yoshimichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8514075
    Abstract: An ultrasonic occupancy sensor for detecting presence or absence of an occupant in a space includes an ultrasonic receiving circuit having a synchronous rectifier that allows the circuit to detect small-magnitude ultrasonic waves having a Doppler shift. The sensor comprises an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic waves at an ultrasonic operating frequency, and a controller that drives the transmitting circuit with complementary drive signals to control the ultrasonic operating frequency. The synchronous rectifier receives the drive signals from the controller and rectifies an amplified input signal to generate a rectified signal, which is filtered by a filter to generate a filtered signal. The controller receives the filtered signal and determines that the space is occupied if the magnitude of the filtered signal exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8482413
    Abstract: Systems and associated methods for monitoring and/or controlling access to interior portions of consumer-operated kiosks and other enclosures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a consumer-operated kiosk includes an enclosure having a door movable between a closed position that prevents access to the enclosure and an open position that permits access to the enclosure. In this embodiment, an identifier, such as an RFID transponder or tag, is mounted to one of the enclosure or the door, and a reader, such as an RFID reader, is mounted to the other of the enclosure or the door. When the door is closed, the reader detects the identifier. Conversely, when the door moves away form the closed position, the reader ceases to detect the identifier and can generate/send a signal indicating that the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Martin
  • Patent number: 8471704
    Abstract: A door system includes a sensor device for monitoring a vertical door edge. The sensor device has a transmitter that generates a light beam that runs along the vertical door edge, and a receiver to receive the light emitted by the transmitter. Further, an element of the sensor device is mounted in a region of a base of the door, with the sensor element being either in or on the base in front of the vertical door edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Cedes AG
    Inventors: Bas Albers, Heinz Hügli, Beat De Coi, René Hug, Thomas Gay
  • Patent number: 8451116
    Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Greg Edward Sloan
  • Patent number: 8400310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved an automated hand cleaning reminder system having a disinfectant dispenser mounted proximate to an entranceway. When approaching the entranceway the visitor must first utilize a disinfectant dispenser to gain unalarmed entry or exit through the entranceway. When the disinfectant dispenser is utilized the disinfectant dispenser transmits a signal to a processor which then deactivates temporarily a motion/presence detector scanning an area immediately adjacent or close to the entranceway, and thus permits entry or exit for the visitor. At the same time, processor activates a light emitter to provide a visual indication to the visitor that passage is permitted, and, simultaneously also activates the access allowed audio tone to be played through a message conveying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: G. Raymond Brow
  • Patent number: 8395524
    Abstract: A merchandiser communication system including a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged in a second row. Each of the merchandisers includes a light assembly coupled to a case to illuminate a product display area, a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses, and a microcontroller. The light sensor is in visual proximity with one or more of the adjacent merchandisers located across the aisle. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly that are not detectable by a human eye. The communication system also includes a visible light-based communication network in communication with the merchandisers and is operable to communicate the encoded light pulses among the merchandisers via the light assemblies and the light sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Ted Wayne Sunderland, Dennis L. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8390274
    Abstract: This method for determining a person's activity in surroundings equipped with electrical appliances that are switchable, in response to a command from the person, between an ‘on’ mode and an ‘off’ mode, wherein the method comprises: the measuring of the magnetic field produced by one of the electrical appliances by means of a magnetometer carried by the person, the identifying of the electrical appliance in ‘on’ mode in proximity to the magnetometer by comparing the measured magnetic field with the pre-recorded magnetic signatures of these electrical appliances in ‘on’ mode, and the determining of the activity of the person on the basis of a pre-recorded activity identifier associated with the electrical appliance identified as being in ‘on’ mode on the basis of its magnetic signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Francois Favre-Reguillon, Roland Blanpain, Franck Vial
  • Patent number: 8378820
    Abstract: An infrared motion sensor system has an infrared (IR) sensor having a predetermined field of view, a target positioned within the field of view of the sensor which emits a spatially or temporally non-uniform pattern of IR radiation, and a processor which receives an output signal from the IR sensor, compares the received output signal to a signature temperature profile signal corresponding to the non-uniform pattern of IR radiation emitted by the target, and detects deviation of the sensor output signal from the signature temperature profile signal, indicating intervention of an object in a monitored volume between the target and sensor. The size of the target may be of the order of human size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Suren Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Scott Micko
  • Patent number: 8368534
    Abstract: A remote door access monitoring system includes a central monitoring component and a remote monitoring component. The central monitoring component includes an optical source, an optical power level receiver, and a microcontroller. The optical power level receiver is in communication with the microcontroller. The remote monitoring component includes an optical switch that is operably associated with a door of a communications equipment cabinet. The communications equipment cabinet is located at a geographical location different from a geographical location of the central monitoring component. The optical source transmits an optical signal from the optical source to the optical switch and back to the optical power level receiver. The optical switch attenuates the optical signal in response to opening and closing of the door. The optical power level receiver is configured to detect an attenuated optical signal and then notify the microcontroller of the existence of an attenuated optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: CommScope Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: W. Larkin Crutcher, Anil Kumar Trehan
  • Patent number: 8319638
    Abstract: A motion detector and a method for detecting a tampering of the motion detector. The tampering can include a spraying or brushing of a lens of the motion detector. The motion detector comprises a lens, a single sensing section for detecting infrared signals within a protected area, and detecting vibrations on the lens in the form of acoustic signals, the vibrations and the infrared signal causing a voltage change in the single sensing section, a first and second amplifier for amplifying the voltage change for processing for tampering and motion, respectively, first and second filter for filtering the voltage change for processing for tampering and motion, respectively, a microcontroller for determining if the detected voltage change is consistent with a pattern that is indicative of tampering or motion and alarm generating section for generating a tamper alarm or a motion alarm based upon the determination by the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8314714
    Abstract: The manual trigger device includes: a housing presenting a flexible or mobile surface, an emission unit that emits an electromagnetic field, a reception unit that receives the electromagnetic field, and emits a signal representative of the electromagnetic field received, a modulation element that modulates the electromagnetic field, and is connected to the flexible or mobile surface of the housing such that when the surface is deformed or moved, the reception unit receives an electromagnetic field modulated by the modulation element according to the deformation of the flexible or mobile surface and a processing circuit that processes the signal, and adapted to detect a modulation of the electromagnetic field representative of a push on the surface with a predetermined pressure and to command, upon detection, the change in appearance of a warning device visible from the outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Finsecur
    Inventors: Laurent Pichard, Stéphane Di Marco, Christophe Bonazzi
  • Patent number: 8258949
    Abstract: A combined night light and alarm device preferably includes a portable housing, a light emitting section located inside the housing, an alarm section located inside the housing, and a plug attached to the housing and adapted to be removably connected to an existing electrical outlet. An audible alarm is included for notifying residents/occupants when the device senses motion of unauthorized persons. Such a plug may be electrically coupled to the light emitting section and the alarm section respectively. A logic gate may be located inside the housing. Such a logic gate may be electrically coupled to the light emitting section and the alarm section respectively. In this manner, the logic gate cooperates with the light emitting section and the alarm section in such a manner that light and sound are automatically emitted upon simultaneously detecting first and second triggering events around the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald Jaynes
  • Patent number: 8217788
    Abstract: A shoe wear out sensor includes at least one detector for sensing a physical metric that changes as a sole of a shoe wears out, a processor configured to process the physical metric over time to determine if the shoe is worn out, and an alarm for informing a user of the shoe when the sole is worn out. A body bar sensing system includes a housing with at least one detector for sensing a physical metric that indicates a repetition movement of the housing when attached to the body bar, a processor for processing the physical metric over time to determine repetitions thereof, and a display for informing a user of the repetitions. A system assesses activity and displays a unitless activity value. A detector senses activity of a user. A processor reads sensed activity data from the detector. A display displays the unitless activity value. An enclosure houses the detector and the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 8207861
    Abstract: A system for detecting and containing a breach in a container includes a first containment layer and a first sensor layer. The first sensor layer includes at least one signal path extending the first sensor layer. The first sensor layer may be provided by either a fiber optic or a wire. An inability of the at least one signal path to conduct a signal from a first end to a second end represents either a breach, or an attempted breach, from outside the container or a failure of the container. The containment layers may seal against any leakage of material in a container subsequent to a breach either from within or from without. An additional layer may be provided to protect against intrusion and may be made from material such as Kevlar. The detection and containment system may be implemented to protect tunnels, pipelines, hatches and manhole covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: 3D Fuse Sarl
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 8094017
    Abstract: An electromagnetic lock monitoring system for monitoring the strength of a magnetic field in an electromechanical lock which is created when a steel armature plate is closed against an electromagnet. The system utilizes dual Hall Effect devices positioned in such a way that both ends of the electromagnet and both magnetic fields are monitored, and that the resulting monitoring effectively covers the complete contact surface between the electromagnet and the armature plate. Preferably, the Hall Effect devices are disposed in series at the point of maximum flux density within the center element of an E-shaped electromagnetic core, at opposite ends of the core. If the magnetic flux is below a preset limit, a relay also in series drops out, triggering an alarm which may be sonic, electronic, and/or visual, as is known in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Securitron Magnalock Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Hunt, Jonathan King
  • Patent number: 8094039
    Abstract: An application solution using infrared communication in automatic sensing for use in bathroom sanitary wares. A main circuit board emits an infrared pulse signal on one side to detect a user. After a user is detected, the main circuit board produces a group of pulse collated code opening valve signals to drive another infrared emitting diode to send this collated code. The infrared receiving diode on the slave board receives this collated code, transforms it into a pulse signal and then transmits it to the chip for procession. If the collated codes agree with each other, the solenoid valve can be controlled to open or close the valve. At the same time, the collated code is returned to the main circuit board, which consequently stops emitting the collated code signal for opening the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen Weigen
  • Patent number: 8077034
    Abstract: The invention refers to a sensor (10) for presence detection, and a method for presence detection, in a detection area (18) comprising at least an image generator (14) for generating an image on a detection area (18) formed by illuminated structures reflecting from said detection area (18), a detector (20) for detecting signals of the image reflected from the detection area (18), an image processing unit (24) for comparing the signals based on the reflected and received image with signals of a reference image stored in storing means of the image processing unit (24), wherein the image generator (14) generates a pattern (16) on the detection area (18) having illuminated and non-illuminated zones, the image processing unit (24) uses triangulation technique to detect changes of the pattern (16) within the detection area (18) over the reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: BEA SA
    Inventors: Yves Borlez, Olivier Gillieaux, Christian Leprince
  • Publication number: 20110276407
    Abstract: One or more micro-impulse radars (MIRs) are configured to determine the movement of at least one person. Media can be output to the person responsive to the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckeman, Thomas Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8054194
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing assets in a lockable container are disclosed. A decoupler receives information from the container or the asset in the container. The container may be associated with a security status, and the item may be associated with a processing status. The decoupler may move the container along a processing path in a sequence based on the security status of the container and/or the processing status of the asset. The decoupler may also lock or unlock the container while moving the container along the processing path. At least a portion of the processing path may be exposed to a magnetic field, which may lock or unlock the container and/o activate or deactivate a security tag associated with the container or the item. The decoupler may also write or read information to or from an RFID tag associated with the container and/or the asset. This information may be used in conjunction with benefit denial, audit, loss prevention, transaction management, and other similar systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Timothy Keuning, Frederik van Koot