Information Display Patents (Class 340/691.6)
  • Publication number: 20120119921
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a system and method for providing emergency override of informational displays in an emergency notification system. An embodiment may include an emergency detection module coupled to a display override module. The display override module may be coupled to a third-party display driver. When an emergency condition is detected, the emergency detection module may use the display override module to override any display messages from the third-party display module in order to display an emergency display message. In an embodiment, the display override module may be a switch box. In another embodiment, the display override module may be a RSS feed subscribed to by the third-party display driver. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SIMPLEXGRINNELL LP
    Inventors: Daniel G. Farley, Matthew Farley
  • Patent number: 8169310
    Abstract: In a method in which vehicle-mounted devices on vehicles read configuration data set on a computer using a memory card, when the computer is installed remotely from the vehicles, it is inefficient to have to go back and forth between the vehicles and the place where the computer is installed every time the configuration is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Kohhei Ono
  • Patent number: 8169334
    Abstract: A magnetic rotary encoder with feedback unit, including a base, a cover body, a sensing element and a display element. The base has a hollow main body formed with a receiving space. The receiving space has an opening at one end of the main body. The cover body is disposed at the end of the main body of the base to block the opening. The cover body is formed with a through hole in communication with the receiving space. The sensing element is disposed in the receiving space for sensing the motion of a magnetic element disposed on a rotor of a rotary motor. The display element is arranged on the sensing element in alignment with the through hole of the cover body for receiving signals transmitted from the sensing element. The display element has different display modes in accordance with different signals for a user to easily judge the operation state of the rotary motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Hsieh, Chien-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 8169304
    Abstract: A user station configurable for use in a healthcare communication system, such as a nurse call system, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Schuman, Sr., Erik Edward Roehl, Williams F. Collins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8164488
    Abstract: A method includes determining a first flow characteristic of a flow, the flow comprising at least one targeted user. The method also includes generating for display a first message based on the first flow characteristic of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Ramanathan T. Jagadeesan, Bich Tu Nguyen, Gregory D. Pelton, Labhesh Patel
  • Patent number: 8164420
    Abstract: An RFID tag includes a sensor for determining a transient state or condition of a product to which the tag is associated, and a display. The tag may be passive, semi-passive, or active. In response to receipt at the tag of a read signal that includes a first value associated with the transient state or condition, a comparison is performed. The comparison compares the first value, with a second value generated by the sensor in response to receipt of the read signal. As a result of the comparison, an indication is provided on the display. The information displayed is a function of the comparison. In one embodiment, the display provides different color indications depending on the transient state or condition sensed. In an alternative embodiment, the RFID tag display includes an electrical or thermal charge-induced pigment release medium, e.g., an electronic ink, and the tag is used to communicate information about the state of a product to which the tag is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Hoang Doan, Richard Redpath, Steven Michael Miller, Gene Wayne Cherry
  • Patent number: 8159368
    Abstract: A method for providing an emergency vehicle alert to an occupant of a second vehicle includes: receiving an alert signal at a receiver device on the second vehicle from the emergency vehicle; and, responsive to the received alert signal, automatically warning the occupant of the second vehicle that the emergency vehicle may be approaching and/or is in a vicinity of the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 8159355
    Abstract: An animal confinement system including at least one transmitter, a loop antenna associated with each transmitter, a loop monitor associated with each loop antenna, a remote communication device and a communication device. The transmitter sends a signal to the loop antenna. The loop monitor senses at least one attribute of the signal. The communication device is communicatively connected with the loop monitor. The communication device communicates at least one attribute to the remote communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Gerig, Andrew F. Siska
  • Publication number: 20120086579
    Abstract: It is provided a communication support device, which analyzes communications among a plurality of persons who belong to an organization, comprising a recording module for storing data that indicates the communications among the plurality of persons, a network constructing module for constructing a network structure of the plurality of persons from the data that indicates the communications, a improvement candidate determining module for identifying a first person whose communication is to be improved from the data that indicates the communications, and a connection candidate determining module for identifying a second person and a third person who can help increase triangle structures around the identified first person in the network structure, based on the network structure. The communication support device outputs display data for prompting the second person and the third person to communicate with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Koji Ara, Kazuo Yano, Nobuo Sato, Satomi Tsuji, Yoshihiro Wakisaka, Norio Ohkubo, Youichi Horii
  • Patent number: 8149129
    Abstract: A signal alignment monitoring system is provided. The system includes a signal assembly including at least one signal lamp. The system also includes an alignment monitoring apparatus coupled to the signal assembly. The alignment monitoring apparatus includes a source for emitting electromagnetic energy and a detector for sensing electromagnetic energy emitted by the source to facilitate determining an alignment of the signal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Forrest Henry Ballinger
  • Patent number: 8149131
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating a change in operation of a medical infusion pump includes a memory configured to store an original pump parameter and a current pump parameter. The apparatus further includes a programmable circuit in electrical communication with the memory, the programmable circuit programmed to display the original pump parameter and the current pump parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Blomquist
  • Publication number: 20120075112
    Abstract: Display system for guiding, advising or evacuating, in which system people are guided, advised or warned with display means, such as with display apparatuses, which display apparatuses comprise information, such as images or signs. The display apparatus (1) comprises a display panel (2), which is an e-paper display, such as an electrophoretic display panel or a display panel of that type, for which a lighting arrangement is arranged, which lighting arrangement comprises a light source (3) and a photoconductor layer (4) arranged on the display surface of the display panel or in front of it, which photoconductor layer is fitted to conduct the light of the light source to the display surface of the display panel. The invention also relates to a display apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MARIMILS OY
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 8134474
    Abstract: A method for remote monitoring of real-time information is provided. In the method, a representation is displayed of each of a plurality of items configured to generate the real-time information. Also displayed is a representation of each of a plurality of destinations configured to receive the real-time information. The real-time information is received from the items. A command is received which selects one of the items and one of the destinations. After receiving the command, at least a portion of the real-time information received from the selected item is transmitted to the selected destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Gordon Fuller, Kevin George Gordon, Mark David Hobbs, Mohamed Salehmohamed
  • Patent number: 8134710
    Abstract: A particulate detector system is provided that can sense particulates (such as smoke in the air). The system employs a reflected light system that generally avoids making measurements of light intensity. Instead, coded signals are compared with one another to determine error rates between emitted light and detected light (across a chamber). Based on the error rate, processing circuitry can determine particulate concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Keiichi Kajino, Mitsuharu Iwasaki, Tatsuyuki Nihei
  • Patent number: 8134471
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to alert a system administrator of a failure condition within a distributed system having a chassis, a management module, and one or more devices installed in the chassis. Such a method may initially identify whether a device within the chassis has encountered a failure condition. The method may then determine whether the device requires removal from the chassis based on the failure condition. The method may cause a visual fault indicator associated with the device to assume a first illuminated state in the event the device requires removal. The method may cause the visual fault indicator to assume a second illuminated state in the event the device does not require removal. If communication with a management module is possible, a visual fault indicator on the chassis may assume a third illuminated state if the device requires removal. A corresponding apparatus and computer-program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Basheer Neuhru Bristow, Jason James Graves, Theorium Dantiago Grier
  • Publication number: 20120044084
    Abstract: An approach to cable management is presented. A bi-stable liquid crystal display that requires no power to maintain an image is attached to a communications cable. A bi-stable liquid crystal display may be attached to each end of the cable. The bi-stable liquid crystal displays may be built into the connectors. A display module connects to the bi-stable liquid crystal display and receives signals associated with a message about the communications cable. The display module causes messages to be shown on the bi-stable liquid crystal display in response to receiving the signal. The signal may be generated by a user with a hand held driver. The signal may also be generated automatically by computing devices (such as switches) that are attached to the communications cable. Users may easily determine information about the communications cable by looking at the messages on the bi-stable liquid crystal displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tara Astigarraga, Louie A. Dickens, Nancy V. Ryson, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Patent number: 8115612
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle that display an amount of a particulate matter collected in a filter device for exhaust gas purification. A vehicle 1 includes distance storage apparatus 46 for storing a travel distance, a filter device 5 for exhaust gas purification for trapping a particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas, and collected amount detection apparatus 25 for finding an amount of the particulate matter collected in the filter device 5 for exhaust gas purification. A display control unit 42 normally acquires a travel distance from the distance storage apparatus 46 and displays the travel distance as a numerical value on a segment display unit 41, and when instructed to display a collected amount of the particulate matter, the display control unit 42 acquires a collected amount from the collected amount detection apparatus 25 and lights up the number of segment groups 61 corresponding to the collected amount, thereby displaying the collected amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Tomoki Hirano, Seiji Kadota, Masakatsu Ukai
  • Patent number: 8094016
    Abstract: A plurality of weak discriminators output determinations results about a status of an apparatus. Weight values are individually assigned to the determination results. By performing majority vote of the weighted determination results, the status of the apparatus is determined. The determination results are displayed on a single status indicating screen such that portions corresponding to a normal status are indicated in white while portions corresponding to an anomalous status are indicated in one or more colors other than white. The areas of the portions differ from one another depending on magnitudes of weight assigned to the determination results corresponding to the portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakazato, Kohji Ue, Osamu Satoh, Masahide Yamashita, Jun Yamane, Masaichi Sawada
  • Patent number: 8094003
    Abstract: An on-vehicle display control unit includes a CPU to which vehicle data of various kinds are inputted and a graphic LSI arranged to generate display data to be outputted to a display. The graphic LSI is arranged to generate predetermined display data from image data generated by a meter ECU. However, if there is a problem in a state of the meter ECU or an input status of 3D moving picture data, the graphic LSI receives a fail safe control from the CPU (4), thereby to generate fail safe display data corresponding to the predetermined display data. This realizes an on-vehicle display system capable of stably displaying important vehicle information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruhisa Masui, Fumiaki Fujimoto, Osamu Nishida, Masayuki Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8068025
    Abstract: A personal alerting device and method for detecting an approaching sound source includes a sound detector for detecting environmental sounds and for providing an electrical signal to a sound analyzer. The sound signal is analyzed to determine a baseline sound pattern comprising a plurality of distinct sounds corresponding to sounds emitted from a reference sound source. The distinct sounds in the baseline sound pattern may have substantially the same amplitude and time interval. The sound signal is monitored and compared against the baseline sound pattern to determine whether a target sound pattern is present in the sound signal, the target sound pattern corresponding to sounds emitted by the approaching sound source. When it is determined that the target sound is present in the sound signal, one or more of an audible, visual and tactile alert may be emitted to provide warning of the approaching sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventors: Simon Paul Devenyi, Tyler Thomas Devenyi
  • Patent number: 8059007
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses a conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A resistance measuring system such as a continuity-tester or an ohmmeter is coupled to the conductive member, the resistance measuring system outputting a first signal when the temperature corresponding to the battery or batteries is within a prescribed temperature range and a second signal when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature that falls outside of the prescribed temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Daniel Nicholas Brncic, Paul Bryan Kreiner, Scott Ira Kohn, Dorian West, Jonathan Louis Hall
  • Patent number: 8054166
    Abstract: A method for accessing and browsing the internet through the use of a telephone and the associated DTMF signals is disclosed. The preferred embodiment provides a system that converts the information content of a web page from text to speech (voice signals), signals the hyperlink selections of a web page in an audio manner, and allows selection of the hyperlinks through the use of DTMF signals generated from a telephone keypad. Upon receiving a DTMF signal corresponding to a hyperlink, the corresponding web page is fetched and again delivered to the user via one of the available delivery methods such as voice, fax-on-demand, electronic mail, or regular mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ben Franklin Patent Holding LLC
    Inventors: Kyung H. Rhie, Richard J. Kwan, Lee E. Olsen, John S. Hahn
  • Patent number: 8044817
    Abstract: A portable electronics distress detection system includes at least one strain gage and an alarm circuit. The strain gage is mountable to an element of the portable electronic device. The alarm circuit includes a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, with each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge. When a mechanical stress is imposed on the portable electronic device, the strain gage changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge. The alarm circuit activates the portable electronic device user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Solcz
  • Patent number: 8035493
    Abstract: A head-up display device includes a light source, a display unit for producing display virtual images including an alarm display image, a mirror for reflecting the light to show the alarm display image in a field of front view of a driver, at least one on-vehicle device that the driver operates, a visual-line shift detecting means and a display position shifting means. The mirror reflects the light representing the alarm display image so that a driver can see the alarm display image in a display area that is set on one of a front windshield and a combiner in front of the driver and in a field of front vision of the driver. The visual-line shift detecting means detects a visual line shift of the driver from a usual forward visual range of the driver toward the on-vehicle device that the driver operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Shinjiro Hioki
  • Patent number: 8035527
    Abstract: A fire detection system for monitoring a volume containing fluid, typically air, for the presence of smoke particles is disclosed. A conduit for receiving the fluid, and any smoke particles therein, and directing the fluid to a smoke detector has a plurality of inlets formed therein. A respective temperature sensor is associated with each of the inlets which generate a signal indicative of a change in temperature in the region of the inlet. In the embodiments, the temperature sensor comprises one or more fiber Bragg gratings. The fiber Bragg gratings preferably have different grating periods. The reflected light from each fiber Bragg grating is returned back down the fiber optic cable and redirected via a 2Ă—1 coupler to a wavelength detection system and a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kidde IP Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Brian David Powell
  • Publication number: 20110215943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (54) for an actuator having at least one mechanical display element (10, 11) and a variable speed gear unit, particularly a signal gear unit designed as a variable speed gear unit, having at least two gears with differing transmission ratios, wherein there is a mechanical switching arrangement with which the different gears and/or transmission ratios of the variable speed gear unit can be selected and/or switched even when the display device is mounted operationally ready in a housing without intervention into the housing and without opening the housing from outside, and/or wherein the resolution of the display device (54) and/or the movement of the at least one display element (10, 11) on the actuating path to be displayed of a respective actuator and/or a respective armature can be selectively adjusted. The invention furthermore relates to an actuator having a said type of display device (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: PS AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Patrick Bernhart
  • Patent number: 8013721
    Abstract: A display apparatus displaying an image of surroundings of a vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, and a display monitor provided inside the vehicle for superimposingly displaying the image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the camera, and a first distance indicator line and a second distance indicator line, wherein the first distance indicator line indicates a first predetermined distance from the vehicle and the second distance indicator line indicates a second predetermined distance from the vehicle, the second distance indicator line is positioned farther away from the vehicle than the first distance indicator line, and the first distance indicator line is wider than the second distance indicator line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Shoichi Hashiba
  • Patent number: 8013720
    Abstract: Systems and methods which allow a spotter external to a vehicle to provide signals to a driver of the vehicle in order to facilitate safe backup operations of the vehicle are disclosed. A wireless transmitter, in wireless communication with a receiver positioned within the vehicle, is operated by the spotter. An indicator, also in communication with the receiver, is configured to provide a plurality of audible and/or visible signals perceivable by the driver in response to a wireless signal received by the receiver from the transmitter. The audible and/or visible signals may comprise selected patterned tones and lights which inform the driver whether they should proceed to backup the vehicle or stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Reverse Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oelrich, Curtis John Oelrich
  • Patent number: 8009028
    Abstract: A method of optimizing fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of a vehicle may entail utilizing an interior vehicle display to alert a driver as to the state of various vehicle components and parameters and their effect on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The components and parameters may be monitored by or direct information into a vehicle efficiency ECU which communicates with the display. The method may entail reading and displaying a real-time tire pressure into the efficiency ECU and displaying the corresponding fuel economy. a manufacturer's recommended tire pressure and corresponding fuel economy could also be displayed. The method may also entail reading a variety of real-time weather conditions into the efficiency ECU that correspond to a plurality of different road routes to a driver-selected destination. The fuel economy of each route may be displayed for driver selection to optimize fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroto Uesaka, Tomoaki Tanaka, Michael Wiegand
  • Patent number: 7999692
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-addressable notification appliance having multiple (e.g., dual) visual alarms such as strobes for notifying individuals of different types of detected events. For example, the notification appliance of the present invention could have a first strobe for indicating a fire, and a second strobe for providing mass notification of a different emergency such as a terrorist threat or attack. In one embodiment, the visual alarms could be colored differently from one another (e.g., clear and amber). In a typical embodiment, the dual notification appliance could be one of many non-addressable dual notification appliances utilized in a single alarm system that are controlled by a system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: SimplexGrinnell LP
    Inventor: John J. Sendrowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7986226
    Abstract: An ambient condition monitoring system includes a plurality of detectors such as smoke detectors, gas detectors, or fire detectors. Each of the detectors has two sets of input/output ports. One port can communicate with a system control unit. The second port can communicate with a local wired network to which is coupled a plurality of output devices. The output devices can be activated by the respective detector using a modulated control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Frison
  • Patent number: 7982628
    Abstract: A verbal language based output system includes data defining a geometrical region, such as a building, configuration data relative to various detectors in the region, and a plurality of event inputs associated with the detectors. Verbal language generation software, in response to the data and the event inputs, produces verbal descriptions of developing events. Such verbal descriptions can be audibly output for use by personnel needing to enter the region to address the events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Plocher, Henry Chen
  • Patent number: 7982627
    Abstract: A meter device includes an indicator unit, movably supported within a predetermined range, for representing an amplitude value of an input signal by a movement amount ?? from a reference position ?0 which is one end of the predetermined range. A gain acquiring unit acquire a gain of the input signal; and a maximum movement amount determining part determines a maximum movement amount ??M of the indicator unit at the gain based on the gain acquired by the gain acquiring unit. A drive control unit moves the indicator unit to a position corresponding to the amplitude value of the input signal between the reference position ?0 and a maximum movement position ?M moved from the reference position ?0 by the maximum movement amount ??M based on the maximum movement amount ??M determined by the maximum movement amount determining part and the amplitude value of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Yoko Kuzuoka, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Wei Keat Yew
  • Patent number: 7982583
    Abstract: Users of the system are each provided with an indicator module capable of presenting a display. An authorization module keeps track of which users are authorized to access a facility, such as a secured area or a parking facility. The authorization module sends messages, such as SMS messages, to the authorized indicator modules directing them to present a common valid display. The common valid display changes repeatedly over time, but, at any one time, the modules of authorized users all present the same display. A user may be granted or denied access based on whether the display on his module is the same as that of known authorized modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Debashis Haldar, Baoquan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7982614
    Abstract: A system includes an asset tag associated with an asset, the asset tag having a motion sensor to detect a movement of the asset. The system also includes a plurality of readers, each reader receiving one or more signals from the asset tag and measuring a distance between the asset tag and the reader based on the signals. The system further includes a controller receiving a measured distance from each of the plurality of readers and determining a location of the asset based on the measured distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Holm, Steve D. Huseth, Andrew G. Berezowski
  • Publication number: 20110169630
    Abstract: A foreign material exclusion device adapted for use in a cavity of a system or construction, for example a tube, pipe, or the like, the device having a body that is adapted to seal a first side of the cavity from a second side of the cavity and prevent passage of debris past the body, the device further including a sensor operatively connected to the body and adapted to measure a property of the environment adjacent at least one surface of the device. Methods for utilizing the device to seal a portion of the cavity and to record, and preferably distribute, the data are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Advanced F.M.E. Products
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Nolfi, Mario Michael Nolfi
  • Patent number: 7978093
    Abstract: In the specification and figures a method of displaying comparative tire data is described and shown, wherein a vehicle with a particular set of tires is driven through a test course, vehicle data is recorded, the vehicle is driven through the test course with a different set of tires, the recorded data is processed, the processed data is transformed into an animation, and the animation is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sigillito
  • Publication number: 20110157357
    Abstract: A system for providing combined real-time data and live video of an enclosure. The real-time data may be overlayed on live video. Additionally, or instead, alarms and/or real-time control capabilities may be overlayed on the live video. An embedded server may be connected to sensors and cameras at the enclosure for providing the video with the overlaid information to a network. A user interface may obtain access to the overlaid video via the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rick Weisensale, Lenard Perkins
  • Patent number: 7969294
    Abstract: An onboard display device includes a display section attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle. The section has a second display area and a first display area. The second display area shows at least the speed as vehicle condition images indicating the conditions of the vehicle. The first display area shows a navigation image and other secondary images. The display section measures greater in width than in height with an aspect ratio of 7:3 or greater. The aspect ratio is the width/height ratio of a display area. The onboard display device allows for a visibility-improved simultaneous display of the secondary image, such as a navigation image, and the vehicle condition image, such as a speed display, which presents information on the conditions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Aki Miake, Toshiya Takahashi, Megumi Itoh, Mitsukazu Okuda, Takeshi Doi, Takeo Abe
  • Publication number: 20110148653
    Abstract: The present invention illustrates a touch input and display device of door bell systems to replace conventional bells, which only have push buttons. Having a variety of input options, the door bell systems in the present invention can produce customized products, such as visitors ringing the bell, door opened automatically, transmitting calls, and message bulletin board etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Lin, Tzu-An Lin
  • Patent number: 7965177
    Abstract: A display system includes a combination image dividing section arranged to divide a single combination image composed of a plurality of item images into a plurality of image blocks such that each of the image blocks has an item image; an image inputting controlling section arranged to lay out the individual image blocks; and an image inputting controlling section arranged to generate display data based on the image blocks laid out thereby. This can achieve a display system, to be mounted in the maneuverable moving object and having high degrees of freedom for screen layout, at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Fumiaki Fujimoto, Toshiya Okamoto, Toshiya Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110141253
    Abstract: A remote interactive monitoring and alarm system utilizing a television apparatus with a video-song accompaniment function is provided. The remote interactive monitoring and alarm system is composed of a television apparatus, at least one monitor, at least one transmission unit, at least one broadcasting unit, an alarm triggering unit and at least one remote control unit. The television apparatus is further composed of a video/audio encoder, a karaoke function control circuit and a transmission interface. The karaoke function control circuit provides a control of the video-song accompaniment function, the transmission interface is configured to receive an insertion of a external storage device which is used to store the video-song data, and the external storage device can be detached and connected to a computer for downloading the video-song data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: HERAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Steven TSAI
  • Patent number: 7956762
    Abstract: A controller (500) in an electric drive system is used to develop power generation failure diagnostics. During operation, the controller (500) receives a set of generator inputs, a set of machine parameters, and a set of diagnostic values. Next, the controller (500) determines a set of expected operating values corresponding to the set of diagnostic values. The controller (500) then compares the obtained diagnostic values to one or more corresponding expected operating values. If the difference is greater than a threshold, the controller (500) provides an appropriate fault indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Bailey, Matthew Hendrickson, Frederick Beach
  • Patent number: 7953503
    Abstract: A method for operating a process plant, in which a number of alarm notifications for indicating non-compliant operating events of the process plant are generated at process level. Alarm notifications which can be generated during the operation of the process plant are defined. At least a number of the generatable alarm notifications are assigned, in each case at least a first value or a second value as a dependency value. A current process state of the process plant is determined and depending on the determined process state, those alarm notifications to which the first value was assigned as a dependency value are not indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Thurau
  • Patent number: 7948375
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the detection of portable electronic device functionality. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a chemically coated antenna to serve as a trigger for device functionality detection. The chemically coated antenna may be passively or actively detected. In active detection, a detection apparatus releases a chemical which reacts or otherwise respods with the chemical trigger in a detectable manner. The detection apparatus detects the reaction, which is specific to the functionality of the portable electronic device. In passive detection, a detection device simply detects the chemical trigger, which is specific to the portable electronic device functionality. Other trigger embodiments utilizing optics, radio frequency (RF) signals, sound waves, and magnetic identification are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Jeffrey Goldberg, John Thommana, Arty Chandra, Alain Charles Louis Briancon
  • Patent number: 7936258
    Abstract: A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Christopher Alan Arms
  • Publication number: 20110095899
    Abstract: To provide an in-train-display management device that is incorporated in a train constituted by a plurality of vehicles and is connected to a plurality of display devices arranged in each vehicle of the train by a transmission path, and displays whether a driving status of the display devices is normal on one screen per predetermined unit to collectively manage the driving status of the display devices. By collectively displaying the status of the display devices arranged in each vehicle of the train on one screen, status management of the display devices can be easily and collectively ascertained and managed, thereby enabling easy management of maintenance of the display devices arranged in the vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ryota Saito, Masao Oki
  • Publication number: 20110081889
    Abstract: A method of interacting with electronic devices in a locked state, and a handheld electronic device configured to permit interaction when in a locked state are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a handheld electronic device, comprising: a controller; a display screen connected to the controller; an input device connected to the controller; a communication subsystem connected to the controller for communication over a wireless network; a notification element connected to the controller; wherein the controller is configured for: initiating a locked state on the device in response to detection of a trigger condition; monitoring for one or more predetermined inputs via the input device when the device is in the locked state; and generating a notification via the notification element in response to detection of a predetermined input when the device is in the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Dapeng GAO, Brian Alexander OLIVER
  • Publication number: 20110074597
    Abstract: Provided is a monitoring and control system which, by displaying memo information created by an operator on an arbitrary system screen, can enhance freedom of memo display and fully exhibit the effectiveness of memo information. A memo data operation portion 4 receives an input of memo information from an input device 2, imparts attribute information relating to an arbitrary system screen to the memo information, and outputs this with the memo information to a client-side data management portion 6. A display device 1 displays the memo information on a system screen having attribute information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kingo Koshiishi, Setsuo Tamura, Keiichi Kaneda, Junya Nagata, Yasumasa Watabe
  • Publication number: 20110068945
    Abstract: Rule based display systems and methods are provided. In an aspect of the disclosure, a display screen is dynamically generated using one or more display boxes selected from a plurality of display boxes stored in memory. Each of the plurality of display boxes has rules associated with the display box. To generate the display screen, a rules module generates a set of conditions based on current conditions of the system. The rules module then compares the rules of each display box with the set of conditions to identify display boxes having rules that are satisfied by the set of rules. A display module then generates the display screen using the display boxes identified by the rules module, thereby dynamically generating the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: HAAS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Alan WEST, Dustin Stevens-Baier, Daniel C. Johansson