Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221743 | Onboard Starter-Interrupt Device Incorporating Wireless Personal Area Network - An onboard starter-interrupt device uses a Personal Area Network (PAN) to facilitate communication between a wireless device (such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA)) and the onboard device (also referred to interchangeably as a vehicle control device or a payment enforcement device) installed on a vehicle. The PAN can be implemented using, for example, the well-known Bluetooth protocol. The use of a PAN avoids the need for a visible keypad or other input device installed in the vehicle. The interface with the PAN also facilitates direct communication (including voice communication) using an existing cell phone. The interface with the PAN further allows a user or administrator to configure the operation of the onboard device using input/output components of the wireless device. | 09-11-2008 |
20100268402 | Onboard Starter-Interrupt Device Incorporating Wireless Personal Area Network - An onboard starter-interrupt device uses a Personal Area Network (PAN) to facilitate communication between a wireless device (such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA)) and the onboard device (also referred to interchangeably as a vehicle control device or a payment enforcement device) installed on a vehicle. The PAN can be implemented using, for example, the well-known Bluetooth protocol. The use of a PAN avoids the need for a visible keypad or other input device installed in the vehicle. The interface with the PAN also facilitates direct communication (including voice communication) using an existing cell phone. The interface with the PAN further allows a user or administrator to configure the operation of the onboard device using input/output components of the wireless device. | 10-21-2010 |
20120239223 | Methods and Systems of Selectively Enabling a Vehicle by Way of a Portable Wireless Device - Selectively enabling a vehicle by way of a portable wireless device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: enabling a vehicle when a portable wireless device is communicatively coupled to an onboard device by way of a first communication network; sending an indication of location of the vehicle to a data center; and disabling the vehicle when the portable wireless device is no longer communicatively coupled to the onboard device. In some cases, the sending by: receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals by the portable wireless device; establishing that the portable wireless device is proximate to the vehicle; and sending an indication of location to the data center, the sending by the portable wireless device. | 09-20-2012 |
20130066720 | Method and System of Providing Information to an Occupant of a Vehicle - Providing information to an occupant of a vehicle. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: identifying an occupant of a vehicle, the identifying creates an indicia of occupant identity; determining an identity of the vehicle, the determining creates an indicia of vehicle identity; tracking location of the vehicle when occupied by the occupant; and providing information to the occupant, the information selected based on the indicia of occupant identity, the indicia of vehicle identity, and/or the locations of vehicle when occupied by the occupant. | 03-14-2013 |
20130238366 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATED TO ACTIVATING GEO-FENCE BOUNDARIES AND COLLECTING LOCATION DATA - Activating geo-fence boundaries and collecting location data. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: activating a geo-fence for a pre-determined area responsive to an event related to a vehicle; receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) signals indicative of a location of the vehicle, the receiving by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; detecting that the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence; creating a data set comprising data regarding locations of the vehicle with respect to the geo-fence; determining a parameter associated with an existing insurance policy based on the data set. | 09-12-2013 |
20140304053 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING INFORMATION TO AN OCCUPANT OF A VEHICLE - Providing information to an occupant of a vehicle. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: identifying an occupant of a vehicle, the identifying creates an indicia of occupant identity; determining an identity of the vehicle, the determining creates an indicia of vehicle identity; tracking location of the vehicle when occupied by the occupant; and providing information to the occupant, the information selected based on the indicia of occupant identity, the indicia of vehicle identity, and/or the locations of vehicle when occupied by the occupant. | 10-09-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140331944 | Multi-Function Dog Leash and Methods of Use - An adjustable dog leash and associated obedience training methods are provided. The leash has clamps at opposing ends that can be affixed to a dog collar, belt loops, or other sections of leash. In between the clamps, a cord lock is disposed and engages with two sections of the leash length. When the cord lock is open, it can move freely, along the length, but when it is closed the lengths of the leash portions are temporarily set. A length of leash sectioned off by the cord lock forms an intermediate loop and has n o-ring disposed thereon. End clamps can be secured to the o-ring or the intermediate loop, forming two end loops. Either end loop can be wrapped around the trainer's torso while the other loop is used as a slip lead for a dog. The cord lock configuration reduces the risk of injury-causing leash cinching during training. | 11-13-2014 |
20150068467 | Ball and Chain Link Pet Toy - A pet exercise and amusement device is provided that attaches a pet toy to a pet collar. The device includes a chain link assembly, a ball, and a clamping means for attaching the chain link assembly and ball to a pet collar. In a preferred embodiment, a hollow ball with a through hole is provided that accepts the chain link assembly therethrough. The chain link assembly includes a plurality of links with a clamp on one end and a ball retention element along the opposing end. Another contemplated embodiment includes a solid ball and an attachment loop adapted to provide connection to the chain link assembly. The device attaches to a pet collar for continuous exercise or amusement, and for preventing the pet from losing the toy while engaged therewith. The device can also be rapidly configured into different toys based on pet owner or pet needs. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090255922 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CURRENT EXITING A ROLL THROUGH ITS BEARINGS USING BALANCED MAGNETIC FLUX VECTORS IN INDUCTION HEATING APPLICATIONS - A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis. The system also includes at least one induction heating workcoil configured to generate multiple magnetic fluxes within the roll. Each induction heating workcoil includes at least two separately wound coils. The multiple magnetic fluxes when spatially summed have a substantially null magnetic flux vector. An induction heating workcoil could represent a balanced induction heating workcoil that is configured to individually generate multiple magnetic fluxes that when spatially summed have the substantially null magnetic flux vector. Multiple induction heating workcoils could also represent unbalanced induction heating workcoils configured to collectively generate multiple magnetic fluxes that when spatially summed have the substantially null magnetic flux vector. | 10-15-2009 |
20090255925 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR INDUCTION HEATING USING FLUX-BALANCED INDUCTION HEATING WORKCOIL - An apparatus includes one or more magnetic cores collectively having an inner leg located between two outer legs. The legs are coupled to one or more connecting portions. The apparatus also includes one or more conductive coils wound around the inner leg. The one or more magnetic cores and the one or more conductive coils are configured to generate substantially balanced magnetic fluxes when the conductive coil is energized. Also, the one or more magnetic cores and the one or more conductive coils are configured so that heat created by currents induced in the roll by the magnetic fluxes produces a steady state thermal profile on a surface of the roll. The steady state thermal profile has one peak that falls within a control zone associated with the roll. The one or more magnetic cores could include a single magnetic core or multiple magnetic cores. | 10-15-2009 |
20090258771 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CURRENT EXITING A ROLL THROUGH ITS BEARINGS - A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis. The system also includes an induction heating workcoil configured to generate currents within the roll. The induction heating workcoil is unbalanced and is oriented so that minimal currents flow in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll. The induction heating workcoil could include one or more substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cores and at least one coil each wound around at least one of the one or more cores. Also, the roll may further include a shaft and bearings, and the induction heating workcoil can be positioned so that the currents do not flow substantially through the bearings. | 10-15-2009 |
20090260771 | Sheet Stabilizer With Dual Inline Machine Direction Air Clamps and Backsteps - An air stabilization system employing two substantially parallel, codirectional Coanda nozzles, that are positioned adjacent a flexible moving web, with each nozzle exhausting gas at the same downstream machine direction, subjects the moving web to shear forces effective to stabilize the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is substantially perpendicular to the path of the moving web and a backstep located downstream of the direction of airflow extending from the Coanda slot. The two Coanda nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the moving web. By modulating the velocities or other parameters of gases exiting the Coanda nozzles, the shape of the moving web between the nozzles can be manipulated to present a planar contour for measurements. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a scanner head to measure the caliper of paper, plastic, and other flexible web products. | 10-22-2009 |
20090260772 | Sheet Stabilization With Dual Opposing Cross Direction Air Clamps - An air stabilization system employing two parallel, opposite facing Coanda nozzles, that are positioned adjacent a flexible moving web, with each nozzle exhausting gas at opposite directions, subjects the moving web to opposing forces effective to stabilize the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is parallel to the path of the moving web. The two Coanda nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the moving web. By modulating the flow, pressure and other parameters of gases exiting the Coanda nozzles, the shape of the moving web between the nozzles can be manipulated to present a planar contour for measurements. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a scanner head to measure the caliper of paper, plastic, and other flexible web products. | 10-22-2009 |
20090294084 | Local Tension Generating Air Stabilization System for Web Products - An air stabilization system employing two parallel, opposite-facing Coanda nozzles, with each nozzle exhausting gas at opposite directions, subjects a moving flexible web to opposing forces effective to create local tension within the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is perpendicular to the path of the moving web. The nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the web. The operative surface with the nozzles can exhibit a flush surface. The nozzles can be formed on elevated structures on the operative surface. The operative surface can be covered with a transparent substrate to minimize shape distortions on the moving web and to prevent debris from collecting around the sensor. By modulating the velocities of gases exiting the nozzles, the shape of the web can be manipulated to present a planar contour. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a caliper scanner. | 12-03-2009 |
20100200570 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CROSSTALK BETWEEN WORKCOILS IN INDUCTION HEATING APPLICATIONS - A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis and has a direction of rotation. The system also includes multiple induction heating workcoils each configured to induce one or more magnetic fluxes within the roll to generate one or more electrical currents within the roll. Each induction heating workcoil can be oriented so that a mean magnetic flux induced by the workcoil is oblique to the roll's direction of rotation. Each of the induction heating workcoils could represent an unbalanced induction heating workcoil, or each of the induction heating workcoils could include a core having a shape that is not substantially dependent on the roll's diameter. | 08-12-2010 |
20130055912 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING VIBRATIONS OF SCANNING SENSORS IN WEB MANUFACTURING OR PROCESSING SYSTEMS - An apparatus includes a scanning head configured to move one or more sensors back and forth across a surface of a moving web of material. The apparatus also includes a vibration dampening device configured to reduce vibrations of the one or more sensors when the scanning head moves the one or more sensors back and forth across the surface of the web. The vibration dampening device includes at least one mass and one or more springs configured to create oscillatory movement of the at least one mass. The at least one mass and the one or more springs can be located within a housing that rides on a rail back and forth to move the scanning head across the surface of the web. The at least one mass and the one or more springs can also be located on a web deflector connected to the scanning head. | 03-07-2013 |