Location Indication Patents (Class 340/8.1)
  • Patent number: 9330399
    Abstract: A method for verifying a location of a user of a mobile device is disclosed. The method involves: receiving an indicia of a location of the mobile device based on an at-location element proximate to the mobile device; receiving a global positioning system (GPS) position associated with the mobile device; determining whether at least one security condition is satisfied based on the indicia of the location and the GPS position; and causing a next action to occur when the at least one security condition is satisfied, or not causing the next action to occur when the at least one security condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Reed Morse, Grantland Chew
  • Patent number: 9324223
    Abstract: A new and improved electronic monitoring home units and associated installation methods. The present disclosure provides for an electronic monitoring home unit capable of automated confirmation of location and method of automated confirmation of location when a home unit has been installed. The present disclosure provides for a home unit capable of intelligent inclusion zone setting for a home unit and a method of such inclusion zone setting. The present disclosure also provides for a streamlined installation method with automated communication between a home unit and central monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Omer Shechter, David Shuva, Meir Zygman, Ido Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 9316720
    Abstract: A networked system for managing a physical intrusion detection/alarm includes an upper tier of server devices, comprising: processor devices and memory in communication with the processor devices, a middle tier of gateway devices that are in communication with upper tier servers, and a lower level tier of devices that comprise fully functional nodes and constrained nodes. The networked has a device configured to receive sensory inputs from credentials or badges and determine virtual groups of individuals associated with received credential data and apply rules to grouping information to track and detect individuals within virtual groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Paul B. Rasband
  • Patent number: 9298882
    Abstract: Patient information is acquired using a patient monitoring device. The patient information is selected from of at least one of, a patient's activities, behaviors and habit information, and patient monitoring. The patient monitoring device has a unique patient ID, ID circuitry including ID storage, a communication system that reads and transmits the unique ID from an ID storage. Also included are a power source and a pathway system to route signals through the circuitry. A database of patient ID's is accessed at the telemetry system. The patient information is communicated from the patient monitoring device with the telemetry system in communication with the patient monitoring device. Patient information is analyzed at the telemetry system to create personalized information about the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9282588
    Abstract: An architecture, system and associated method for dynamic coordination of radio resource usage in a network environment. In one aspect, a relay communication method comprises detecting, by a first wireless mobile device, sensory data associated with multiple radio channels relative to at least one radio element in a sensing area of the first wireless mobile device. If the first wireless mobile device is out of range of a wide area cellular network, a short-range wireless communication path is established with a second wireless mobile device having a wide area cellular communication connection. The sensory data is transmitted by the first wireless mobile device to the second wireless mobile device for reporting to a network element via a wide area cellular network serving the second wireless mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Robert Novak, David Gywn Steer, Dongsheng Yu
  • Patent number: 9275540
    Abstract: Methods and systems for contingency communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing emergency services may be performed by a portable device operating in a communication system. In an embodiment, the method for providing emergency services includes operating in at least one of a plurality of modes. A stress mode may be entered from a normal mode in response to receiving a beacon signal indicating an emergency status. An indication may be provided on the portable device regarding the emergency status via an audio, visual, or mechanical user interface during the stress mode. An acknowledgement signal may be transmitted in response to the beacon signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Neocific, Inc.
    Inventors: Titus Lo, Xiaodong Li
  • Patent number: 9253847
    Abstract: A lighting system (100) including at least one controller (102) and a memory (104) containing program portions which configure the controller (102) to obtain weather forecast information including one or more of current and expected weather conditions over a period of time; determine one or more lighting settings based upon the weather forecast information; form lighting setting information in accordance with the determined lighting settings; and transmit the lighting setting information. The system (100) may include an illumination source (106) to provide illumination in accordance with the lighting setting information The system may change characteristics (e.g., illumination pattern, illumination intensity, illumination spectrum, illumination polarization,) of the illuminated source (106). The process may form lighting setting information to control one or more filters (130) in accordance with a desired lighting setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hongqiang Zhai, Jianfeng Wang, Dave Alberto Tavares Cavalcanti, Kiran Srinivas Challapali, Tommaso Gritti
  • Patent number: 9245430
    Abstract: A beverage koozie having a wireless locator that emits sounds under the control of a key fob. The koozie has an interior switch that causes a sound generator to emit sound when a beverage is placed in the koozie. The sound generator can also be activated by a key fob. In response to RF from the key fob the sound generator emits an audible signal to enable a user to find the koozie. The sound generator can also emit entertaining sounds when directed by the key fob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Jason S. Berg
  • Patent number: 9244153
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an RFID system for safely controlling an auto guided vehicle, an automated robot or other moving object (“AGV”). The system may include a plurality of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags, and each may store a unique identification in a first memory location, a position in a second memory location and/or an instruction in a third memory location. An AGV having an RFID transceiver or antenna and a computer with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a predetermined table may read one or more of the memory locations. The table comprises a plurality of data elements with certain data elements associated with particular RFID tags. The AGV safely determines its location upon matching the one or more memory locations read with one or more data elements, or triggers a fault upon failing to match. The AGV may also predict the next RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Zomchek, Derek W. Jones, William E. Waltz, Richard W. Boyd, Wayne Foster
  • Patent number: 9232614
    Abstract: A light device includes a light source that irradiates light to the outside; a base part that has a mounting part on which the light source is mounted; a cover part that is formed to cover the light source, and is mounted on a bottom side of the base part; a wireless communication device that carries out wireless communication with a wireless terminal; and a positional information transmitter that transmits positional information of the wireless terminal, wherein the positional information transmitter has a pattern antenna employing an electrode that transmits visible light, and the pattern antenna is provided in the cover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Takaaki Hiroi
  • Patent number: 9204798
    Abstract: A system is provided for obtaining monitored information about an individual and create life activities data. A monitoring device has that detect or measure individual information selected from of at least one of, an individual's activities, behaviors and habit information, and an individual's health. The monitoring device includes ID circuitry with an ID storage that contains a unique individual ID, a communication system which reads and transmits the unique individual ID from the ID storage, a power source and a pathway system. A telemetry system includes a database that receives the individual information from the telemetry device. One or more analysis tools at the telemetry system analyze the individual information and create life activities data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HELLO, INC.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9204257
    Abstract: A series of RF beacons deployed about a localized area to create an infrastructure for use with mapping, navigation, and marketing of merchants in the vicinity thereof. An application would utilize the RF beacons to determine a user's location respective to a local area and inform the user of their location on an associated map. The application can employ the RF beacons for navigation through the local area. The application can utilize a beacon identifier that would be embedded within the beacon signal. The beacon identifier can be utilized to determine a user's location, provide navigation, obtain marketing information for merchants associated with the specific beacon, etc. Receipt of the beacon signal could initiate a feature on the receiving device to transmit a request for information to a remote provider, which in turn, utilizes the beacon identifier to obtain information associated with the area and return the information accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Ehud Mendelson
  • Patent number: 9161172
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for adaptively sampling orientation sensors in positioning systems based on location (e.g., map) data. Embodiments can enable a device to use location, direction, and/or location information to anticipate an expected change in motion. The embodiments can then identify and prioritize a number of sampling strategies to alter sampling rates of orientation sensors, and implement at least one strategy, based on priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Sameera Poduri, Payam Pakzad, Vinay Sridhara, Saumitra Mohan Das, Ayman Fawzy Naguib
  • Patent number: 9149189
    Abstract: A method is provided for using telemetry data based on user habit information or user monitoring. One or more sensors of a monitoring device detects or measures user information selected from of at least one of, a user's activities, behaviors and habit information, and a user's health. The user information is received at a telemetry system with a database. One or more analysis tools at the telemetry system are used for the analysis. Analysis information is produced that is sent to the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HELLO, INC.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9143915
    Abstract: A system and method for confirming that emergency resources are available to be used at a particular location, communicating to the incident manager at that location and estimated time of arrival of the resource, and tracking the resource during transit to the location for updating the estimated time of arrival. The system further includes the step of funding the system, which can include charging a fee to those who benefit from the system, the public generally, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: James Patrick Messerly
  • Patent number: 9143413
    Abstract: In some aspects, a method of displaying wireless-spectrum usage information is described. In some examples, a surface plot of a measure of wireless-spectrum usage for a geographic region is generated. The surface plot is based on analysis of physical layer signals detected at wireless-spectrum monitoring locations distributed over the geographic region. The surface plot is superimposed onto a view of the geographic region by operation of a display device. The superimposed surface plot visually indicates values for the measure of wireless-spectrum usage over the view of the geographic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cognitive Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Tajinder Manku, Oleksiy Kravets, Hugh Robert Faulkner Hind
  • Patent number: 9111156
    Abstract: RFID systems for locating RFID tags utilizing phased array antennas and compressed sensing processing techniques in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an RFID system includes at least one exciter that includes at least one transmit antenna, a phased antenna array that includes a plurality of receive antennas, and an RFID receiver system configured to communicate with the at least one exciter and connected to the phased antenna array, where the RFID receiver system is configured to locate an RFID tag by performing reads of the RFD tag at multiple frequencies, generating a measurement matrix, and determining a line of sight (LOS) distance between the activated RFID tag and each of the plurality of receive antennas by eliminating bases from the measurement matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Mojix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Sadr, Andreas Mantik Ali, Andres I. Vila Casado, Christopher Jones
  • Patent number: 9109912
    Abstract: A client navigation system establishes a wireless connection to a navigation server on a computer network. The client requests a route by uploading start and stop specifications. The server calculates an optimal route based on real-time data available on the network. A generic natural language description is used to specify the optimal route downloaded to the client. The natural language description is independent from the local mapping database software on the client and includes a plain text description for each link using pre-defined generic terms. The client interprets the route, interfaces with the local mapping database and reconstructs the optimal route using a mapping reconstruction algorithm. The route is displayed on the client navigation system using whatever mapping database is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Infogation Corporation
    Inventors: Kent Qing Pu, Hui Henry Li
  • Patent number: 9101113
    Abstract: A custom-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined containment area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system, which is easy to set up and use, includes at least three base units and at least one collar and, preferably, a remote controller. A virtual fence is defined around the containment area, as well as around optional exclusion zones within the containment area, during system set up through communication between the base units and a trackable device as the user walks around the desired border. Visualization software enables the user to verify that the location of the fence is as desired and that the system is operating properly using a computing device having a display screen. In use, the system employs improved filtering of consecutive distance measurement values taken between the base units and the collar to discount errant measurement values in terms of their contribution to the current calculation of the dog's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T. Rich, Christopher Kamery, Marko Lubic, Wade Patterson, Steve Conrad, Jason S. Gurley, Terry G. Phillips, John J. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9098129
    Abstract: A hand-held device can communicate with at least one electronic device via a communicating platform. The hand-held device includes a location database, at least one orientation device, a computing module, a comparing module, a control unit, and a transmitting module. The at least one orientation device detects a direction information related to the pointed-to electronic device relative to the hand-held device. The location database stores a location information related to the position of each electronic device relative to the hand-held device. The computing module can calculate a pointed-to location information related to the position of the pointed-to electronic device relative to the hand-held device based on the direction information. The comparing module can distinguish the pointed-to electronic device by comparing the pointed-to location information with the location information in the location database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tung-Sheng Ting
  • Patent number: 9098374
    Abstract: A software version control system and method includes installing a software configurable component on an aircraft, automatically setting a listen switch of the software configurable component to an on state upon installation of the software configurable component in a new installation location, listening for a software version from a configuration manager on a communication bus, turning off the listen switch if a software version of the software configurable component matches the software version of the configuration manager, and downloading an updated software version to the software configurable component if the software version of the software configurable component does not match the software version of the configuration manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Krenz
  • Publication number: 20150145649
    Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: STRATA PRODUCTS WORLDWIDE, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Michaud, Michael Berube, Brian Dunkin, David W. Hakins, Michael W. Bertosh
  • Patent number: 9042914
    Abstract: A wireless access device in a wireless network, whether a known or unknown entity, can be located using a geolocation system according to the present invention. A signal strength is determined by a wireless intrusion detection system (WIDS) node in a wireless network for each wireless access device that it detects. Based on the signal strength, an approximate distance from the node is determined, which, in one embodiment corresponds to a radius of a circle around the node. To account for error, an approximation band of the circle is calculated that will allow a user to determine the approximate location of the device within the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TEKLA PEHR LLC
    Inventors: Elaine Harvey, Matthew Walnock
  • Patent number: 9041513
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for communicating with sensors/loggers in integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. An RFID reader uses a Communicate With Data Logger Command to communicate with a data logger in an RFID tag. The RFID reader performs data access processes using an Index Register and a Data Register of the RFID tag. The RFID reader selects one of (1) Index Read access (2) Index Write access (3) Data Write access (4) Data Read access with parity and (5) Data Read access with cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The RFID tag performs the requested data access and then performs an error detection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srinath B. Pai, K. Krishna Moorthy
  • Publication number: 20150137945
    Abstract: A two-way finding system includes a first wireless transceiver device and a second wireless transceiver device. The first wireless transceiver device is generated a second wireless transceiver device calling signal that contains a first identification code, a first communication address and a second identification code. The second wireless transceiver device is received the second wireless transceiver device calling signal and to generate a reminder signal according to the second identification code of the second wireless transceiver device calling signal. The second wireless transceiver device is generated a first wireless transceiver device calling signal that contains a second identification code, a second communication address and a first identification code. The first wireless transceiver device is received the first wireless transceiver device calling signal and to generate a reminder signal according to the first identification code of the first wireless transceiver device calling signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Fong-Hao Chiang
  • Publication number: 20150137946
    Abstract: An identification tag has at least a controller, a receiver for receiving wireless signals from an exciter, and a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals to at least one location receiver (which may be a WLAN access point). The tag's controller can determine the presence of interference from sources unrelated to the location system, such as smartphones, tablets, computer monitors etc., and signal an alert accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Aljadeff, Guy M. Duxbury, Robert D. McCulloch
  • Publication number: 20150137947
    Abstract: A method for tracking non-motorized vehicle commuting activity includes providing a tracking system having a tag reader at a commute destination, wherein the tag reader is adapted to detect the presence of an RFID tag, and to generate and transmit a detection signal indicating a time of detection and one or more attributes of the detected RFID tag. The RFID tag is secured to a non-motorized vehicle used in commuting to the commute destination, and is secured in a manner to enable detection by the tag reader at the commute destination, and to prevent tampering therewith. Information obtained by the tracking system is accessible by one or more of a system administrator and a commuting participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Hans Steege, Rolf Scholtz, Colin Klotzbach, Mark Skoine
  • Publication number: 20150130591
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for providing audible, visual, and tactile alerts detectable by first responders in a geographic region impacted by a mass casualty event, such as a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. In certain aspects, an electronic device of an individual trapped within a damaged structure may establish wireless communications with a mobile cellular site and may receive a request to generate an alert audible to first responders. In response to the request, the electronic device may identify first device settings corresponding to the audible alert, and generate the audible alert in accordance with the obtained first device settings. In certain aspects, the audible alert may enable first responders to identify locations of victims trapped within structures damaged by the mass casualty event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
    Inventor: Michael Edward BOYD
  • Patent number: 9031576
    Abstract: Methods and devices for managing a cellular communication system (1) and mobile terminals (40) are presented. A collective positioning measurement order (50) is issued to a multitude of mobile terminals (40) in a first cell (10) of the cellular communication system (1). This issuing is preferably performed intermittently at a multitude of times according to a predetermined rule. Each mobile terminal (40) receives information concerning a collective positioning measurement order. The mobile terminal (40) performs a positioning operation, typically a positioning measurement on a ranging signal (51, 52) or transmission of a ranging signal (53), preferably intermittently at a multitude of times, according to a predetermined rule based on the information concerning the collective positioning measurement order. An updating of a storage with positioning data can preferably be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Torbjörn Wigren, Dirk Gerstenberger, Bo Göransson, Stefan Parkvall
  • Patent number: 9031497
    Abstract: A dual-satellite emergency locator beacon and method for programming and updating such emergency locator beacons over the air. The system uses a second commercial satellite as the carrier for the data back to the beacon together with the means of coupling these parts together. The system can be manually updated or can be part of a registration system that gets automatically updated. In a second embodiment a method and apparatus for implementing emergency locator beacon registration is provided. The system provides data concerning the user into a backend service which can be utilized to provide all necessary information needed to register the emergency beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ACR Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hoffman, William Cox, Thomas J. Pack
  • Patent number: 9030296
    Abstract: An animal tracking device for tracking an animal shot with an arrow. The animal tracking device may include an antenna, a controller, an accelerometer switch, a battery powering the controller and/or accelerometer switch, an animal attachment component, and a housing physically connecting components of the animal tracking device. The accelerometer switch may measure an amount of G force it experiences and send an interrupt signal to the controller when the amount of G force measured is at or greater than a threshold amount for a threshold amount of time, indicating that the arrow has been shot. The controller may send wireless signals to a receiver via the antenna in response to receiving the interrupt signal. The housing may be detachably attached to the arrow. The animal attachment component may attach to an animal shot by the arrow and force the housing away from the arrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Iron Mountain Products, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Steinman, Dennis Alan Falls
  • Patent number: 9030300
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operational parameters of a wireless reader device and/or one or more other devices based on proximity of the wireless reader device to a wireless electronic circuit. At a first location, the wireless reader device and/or the one or more other devices are controlled based on a first operational parameter. At a second location, interrogation signals are transmitted from the wireless reader device, and response signals are received at the wireless reader device. The response signals are transmitted from the wireless electronic circuit in response to receiving the interrogation signals from the wireless reader device. The response signals convey a control parameter to the wireless reader device that is associated with a second operational parameter. Thereafter, the wireless reader device and/or the one or more other devices are controlled based on the second operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Edward Jones
  • Patent number: 9030303
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a contactless sensing system for controlling operation of a remote device. The sensing system can comprise an actuator and a sensing device, which is responsive to a field the actuator emits. An end user can move the actuator relative to the sensing device to generate an output that reflects a device command that modifies operation of the remote device. In one example, the sensing device comprises an array of sensing elements. The field causes a change in operating parameters in the sensing elements, which the sensing device can identify and associate with the device command. The sensing device can also recognize combinations of one or more of the sensing elements that exhibit changes in the operating parameters to provide a robust control mechanism for the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: William Jay Hotaling
  • Publication number: 20150123768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tag for identifying an object image, including: a feature changing module, including multiple light sources and changing intensity and a wavelength of the light source according to a feature signal; and a communication module, receiving a feature signal generated from the feature changing module, and sending an output signal related to the feature signal. The present invention further relates to a device for identifying an object image, including: a communication module, where the communication module receives a feature signal, where the feature signal includes a command or related information for controlling multiple light sources; a processing unit, where the processing unit receives the feature signal and an image signal from an image sensor, and generates an image identification result according to the image signal and the feature signal; and a storage module, used for storing the image identification result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: To Chin
  • Publication number: 20150123769
    Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for providing a medical tracking interface. The method comprises the steps of: receiving data from at least one tracking device in any one of a plurality of formats, converting the data to a uniform format, and outputting the data in the uniform format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sandeep M. Dalal, Xin Liu, Christopher Stephen Hall
  • Patent number: 9024727
    Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing oscillator frequency divider settings as a temperature sensor are described herein. An example method may involve a reader device transmitting an RF signal to a tag device that includes an electronic oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal with an oscillator frequency and a frequency adjuster configured to adjust the oscillator frequency with a frequency adjustment factor to provide a resulting frequency, the oscillator frequency being dependent on a temperature of the tag device and the resulting frequency being based on a reference frequency provided by the RF signal. The method may also involve the reader device receiving data from the tag device, the data being indicative of the oscillator frequency. The method may further involve the reader device determining an estimate of the temperature of the tag device based on at least the received data and a predetermined relationship between temperature and oscillator frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Patrick Otis, Nathan Pletcher, Daniel Yeager
  • Patent number: 9019077
    Abstract: Methods and system for predicting a future location of users of wireless communications terminals. Location information indicating respective locations of multiple wireless communication terminals may be received and processed so as to predict a future meeting among respective users of the wireless communication terminals. An action may be taken with respect to the predicted future meeting. The location information may be received from a wireless communication network to obtain a Point-of-Interest (POI) that is related to one or more of the users from a characteristic location profile of the one or more users. The POI may be indicated as the likely location of the future meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Verint Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Gideon Hazzani
  • Patent number: 9019306
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 9013313
    Abstract: Improvements in a bed pre exit patient monitor to determine when a patient has moved to an edge of a bed prior to the patient leaving the bed by measuring load on a single wheel by slightly lifting the wheel with load sensing rods that measure the wheel load. A variety of different alarm signals are used signal to warn a care giver. The device is self-contained, self-secures and removes itself from a variety of different diameter wheels. The device can auto calibration when the wheel is initially lifted and also calibrate when a patient is resting on a bed. The monitoring establishes a threshold load without a patient and with a patient to allow the software to determine when the on an edge of a bed and also when a patient has completely left the bed. Software filtering rejects patient movement to prevent false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Alan Paine
  • Patent number: 9013304
    Abstract: A beacon device is provided in proximity to said entity. A request to locate said entity is triggered on a central control unit. In response to the request to locate said entity, said control unit generates specification data for a unique radio signal identifier, sends an activation request and said specification data to said beacon device, and provides said specification data to a portable device and storing said specification data on the portable device. In response to receiving said activation request, said beacon device sends a radio signal identifier generated from said specification data. Signals are received on said portable device and compared with the specification data stored on the portable device. Based on the results of the comparison by said portable device, information is provided about at least one of a direction and distance to said entity. The location of said entity is detected using said direction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Andres, Dirk Bolte, Thomas Hess, Markus Strasser
  • Patent number: 9013274
    Abstract: An article, system and method related to a magnetomechanical marker used to mark stationary assets. Magnetomechanical markers can be arranged in clusters and associated with stationary assets, including assets buried underground. Markers can be associated with an asset by being attached to the asset, arranged in a particular spatial relationship with the asset, or in any other appropriate way. A portable locating device can be used to generate an alternating magnetic field to activate the magnetomechanical marker and thus locate the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ziyad H. Doany, Dean M. Dowdle, Michael E. Hamerly, William C. Egbert, Terrence H. Joyce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9002372
    Abstract: Mentally challenged persons such as autistic children and Alzheimer's patients can become lost and they are hard to find because they have difficulty communicating or they are confused and disoriented. The present invention provides an apparatus, system and methods for locating lost persons (or animals or packages) whether they are indoors or outdoors. The apparatus comprises a cellular telephone unit which can be activated by a RF signal and which a child or patient can wear. The wearable unit can be activated by a caregiver's smart phone having a locating application installed therein. The locating application enables the caregiver to locate the lost person using radio direction finder triangulation when the lost person is within a few hundred feet of the caregiver. When the lost person is further away, the locating application employs cell phone tower triangulation or the wearable unit GPS/Assisted GPS application to determine an approximate location of the lost person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Danielle's Buddy, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Jeffrey Shakespeare, Clarence William Crompton, Lawrence P. Levitt, Sharone Vaknin, Phillip William Wallace
  • Patent number: 8994548
    Abstract: A system includes a receiver configured to receive a signal representing a sequence of user inputs to a portable electronic device and an audible device configured to generate a sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs. A duration and volume of the sound is based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs received within a predetermined time interval. A method includes receiving the signal provided to the portable electronic device within a predetermined time interval and generating the sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Howard Gaboury, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Lisa Therese Boran, Mark George Vojtisek
  • Patent number: 8994500
    Abstract: Systems and methods for event management are described. In one embodiment of the present subject matter, an audio beacon indicative of a location code associated with a location is received from a user device by an event management system. The event management system may then identify the location and an event associated with the location, based on a current time and an event schedule. Event content related to the identified event may then be provided to the user device in real time. In another embodiment, visual tag data pertaining to color coded tags embedded in one or more objects in the location of the event may be received and information content related to the object may be provided to the user device, based on the event schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services
    Inventors: Satyanarayanan Ramaswamy, Srinivasan Pulipakkam, Jose Paul Puthenkulam
  • Patent number: 8981903
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking the location of a buried object in which the location of the buried object is determined and a barhole driver or plunger bar having a detachable plug element and a marking material for marking the location of the buried object is driven into the ground proximate the location of the buried object. The detachable plug element detaches from the plunger bar as the plunger bar is removed from the ground, leaving a substantially continuous path of the marking material in the ground extending substantially continuously from proximate the detachable plug element to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Nickolas Daniels, Christopher Ziolkowski, Frank Hennessey
  • Patent number: 8981902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling location information at a computer device such as a mobile telephone. Location information is intercepted and obtained by, for example, intercepting it from an Application Programming Interface destined for a location application. The location application is identified, and a rule is determined for applying to the location information on the basis of the identified location application. The rule is applied to the location information to give amended location information, and the amended location information is then sent to the location application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: F-Secure Corporation
    Inventors: Jarno Niemelä, Veli-Jussi Kesti, Pirkka Palomäki
  • Patent number: 8981904
    Abstract: A method, controller and system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure facilitate reduced energy consumption in a motion sensing device having an inertial measurement unit (IMU), with a strap down integration unit, and an application processing unit (AP). The system and method include rounding velocity increments and orientation increments at the inertial measurement unit, thereby producing a remainder values. The remainder values are added to subsequent velocity increments and orientation increments prior to rounding of those values, and so on. In this way, while motion granularity is slightly decreased, there is no drift of integration errors over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Xsens Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Johannes Luinge, Giovanni Bellusci, Freerk Dijkstra
  • Patent number: 8982152
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8981896
    Abstract: Enabling a passenger of a vehicle to enter or board the vehicle without necessarily having previously purchased a ticket or fare, and then to perfect a ticket purchase using their handheld device while on-board the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventor: Gavin Ritchie Smith
  • Publication number: 20150070138
    Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for locating a buried asset is provided. The method includes receiving a data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein the buffer zone corresponds to a particular buried asset sought by an operator of the device and iteratively executing the following steps: a) calculating an above-surface location of the device; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the device is located within the two dimensional area; c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, displaying a first graphic in a display of the mobile computing device; d) if the above-surface location is located within the area, displaying a second graphic in the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Alan Haddy