Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090111484 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Tracking Objects - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tracking an object. An identification signal is received that identifies an identification tag associated with the object to be tracked. The identification signal is stored in memory of a cellular phone. When an incoming call is received at the cellular phone, then the information associated with the identification signal is uploaded to a network database. When an outgoing call is placed from the cellular phone, then the information associated with the identification signal may also be uploaded to the network database. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113009 | Notification Device Interaction - Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing device interaction among electronic devices of a device environment and a notification device interfaced with the user. Notification devices allow the user to communicate directly with the device environment, such as by entering information in a mobile phone that has a wireless connection to the environment. A device of the environment has a first transmitter and receiver for communicating with other devices, such as a notification device within the environment. In the instance where a notification device is located remotely, the device of the environment may also include a second transmitter and receiver for communicating with the remotely located notification device through a remote communications transport. A memory stores interaction rules and translation rules, and a processor implements the interaction rules and translation rules to establish interaction with the notification device. Methods may involve detecting a change of state at a device and then communicating with the notification device in accordance with the interaction rules and translation rules thereafter. Methods may also involve directing a message from a notification device to a device of the environment, such as through the remote communication transport, and then communicating from the device of the environment to additional devices. | 04-30-2009 |
20090259717 | ACQUIRING AND PROCESSING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCIDENT AMONG MULTIPLE NETWORKED COMPUTING APPARATUSES - Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for acquiring and processing incident data among multiple networked computing apparatuses. A method involves provisioning an interface associated with a mode of service of a computing apparatus, receiving incident data via the interface, and analyzing the data received according to rules associated with the mode of service. The interface includes a form for documenting the incident data where the form is compatible with one or more fields capable of being concurrently shared among networked computing apparatuses. The interface may be modified in response to receiving the data where a view of the incident data is based on the mode of service. The method further involves recording the data received and transmitting the data received to one or more other networked computing apparatuses over a wireless network based on a mode of service activated on each of the networked computing apparatuses. | 10-15-2009 |
20100075702 | Device for Aggregating, Translating, and Disseminating Communications Within a Multiple Device Environment - Aggregator devices and methods are disclosed for establishing device interaction in an environment containing other electronic devices and the aggregator device. The aggregator device has a transmitter, receiver, memory storing interaction rules, and a processor for implementing the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The methods involve transmitting a message to the aggregator from a first device, referencing rules of device interaction for the environment, and then according to the rules of device interaction, transmitting a message from the aggregator to a second device. The rules of device interaction may include instructions that are to be transmitted from the aggregator in response to the aggregator receiving change of state messages from devices of the environment. | 03-25-2010 |
20110121938 | Learning Device Interaction Rules - Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing interaction among electronic devices of an environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory for storing interaction rules, and a processor for learning the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The device also includes components for performing the device specific functions and a state sensor for determining the logical or physical state of the device. Methods involve observing at one or more devices change of state activity among the plurality of devices through receiving a change of state message that is transmitted to the one or more devices. A set of rules are learned at the one or more devices based upon observing the change of state activity. The learned set of rules are then applied at the one or more devices to automatically control changes of state of devices within the plurality of devices. | 05-26-2011 |
20130253674 | DEVICE FOR AGGREGATING, TRANSLATING, AND DISSEMINATING COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN A MULTIPLE DEVICE ENVIRONMENT - Methods, systems, and products aggregate and distribute changes of state between devices. A plurality of devices communicates with an aggregator. The plurality of devices sends their respective changes of state to the aggregator. The aggregator queries a set of interaction rules to determine how the change of state is disseminated among the plurality of devices. | 09-26-2013 |
20150015370 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Tracking Objects - Tags are used to recover lost objects. Each tag transmits identification information to passing communications devices, such as a cellular phone. The cellular phone then uploads the tag's identification information, along with a location, to a central network database. The central network database thus stores a central repository identifying locations associated with tags discovered by passing communications devices. | 01-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120041964 | System and Method for File Format Management - A method and system for managing access to file system objects enables an application to request access to a file system object via a file system transformer driver, which may extend the capabilities of a file system. The file system transformer driver may be configured to convert a data file format for the file system object to a data format requested by the application. The file system transformer driver may store the file system object in an internal data format using a file system on a storage device. The file system transformer driver may receive requests from applications via an operating system instruction. | 02-16-2012 |
20120295678 | Integrating Real Time Data into Virtual Settings - Data from live events is incorporated into virtual simulations and games. The data may be obtained from various sensors and transferred over a network. However, should one of the participants be a threat, then portions of the virtual simulations and games may be disabled to protect the other participants. | 11-22-2012 |
20130084997 | Integrating Real Time Data into Virtual Settings - Data from live events is incorporated into virtual simulations and games. The data may be obtained from various sensors and transferred over a network. However, should one of the participants be a threat, then portions of the virtual simulations and games may be disabled to protect the other participants. | 04-04-2013 |
20130263005 | Adaptation of Gaming Applications to Participants - Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant. | 10-03-2013 |
20130282517 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Electronic Purchases - An electronic shopping cart may reference multiple items from different merchants. Any merchant may inspect the electronic shopping cart and make counteroffers to a purchaser. If the purchaser approves one of the counteroffers, then an item in the electronic shopping cart is replaced with a substitute item offered by a different merchant. | 10-24-2013 |
20140191873 | MONITORING ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Example methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media are provided to monitor a mobile device. An example method includes determining whether environmental condition data collected by a plurality of sensors of a mobile device complies with an environmental condition rule comprising thresholds associated with the environmental condition data. The environmental condition data is representative of external elements detected by the sensors. The example method includes informing a user of the mobile device of an environmental condition associated with the environmental condition data when the environmental condition data does not comply with the environmental condition rule. The example method includes performing a self-protecting procedure via the mobile device. The self-protecting procedure defined in the environmental condition rule is to protect the mobile device from the environmental condition when the environmental condition data does not comply with the environmental condition rule. | 07-10-2014 |
20140324643 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND PRODUCTS FOR TRACKING SURGICAL ITEMS - Methods, systems, and products track equipment used during surgical procedures. An allowable zone associated with a surgical procedure is identified. The allowable zone determines where surgical items may be used during the procedure. A location of a surgical item is determined. When the location is outside the allowable zone, an alarm is triggered to indicate the surgical item is moving outside the allowable zone towards an area in which the surgical item may not be used. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090215503 | Apparatus and Method for Providing Hands-Free Operation of a Device - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing hands-free operation of a device. A hands-free adapter is provided that communicates with a device and a headset. The hands-free adapter allows a user to use voice commands so that the user does not have to handle the device. The hands-free adapter receives voice commands from the headset and translates the voice commands to commands recognized by the device. The hands-free adapter also monitors the device to detect device events and provides notice of the events to the user via the headset. | 08-27-2009 |
20110192902 | METHODS FOR UTILIZING RF TAGS TO COLLECT DATA CONCERNING POST-CONSUMER RESOURCES - A post-consumption item that has a Radio Frequency (RF) tag associated therewith is disposed of by reading the RF tag to obtain information stored thereon and selecting a manner to dispose of the post-consumption item based on the obtained information. An inventory of post-consumption items that have RF tags associated therewith, respectively, is maintained by reading the RF tags to obtain categorization information stored thereon and maintaining the inventory of the post-consumption items based on the obtained categorization information. | 08-11-2011 |
20120160915 | METHODS FOR UTILIZING RF TAGS TO COLLECT DATA CONCERNING POST-CONSUMER RESOURCES - A post-consumption item that has a Radio Frequency (RF) tag associated therewith is disposed of by reading the RF tag to obtain information stored thereon and selecting a manner to dispose of the post-consumption item based on the obtained information. An inventory of post-consumption items that have RF tags associated therewith, respectively, is maintained by reading the RF tags to obtain categorization information stored thereon and maintaining the inventory of the post-consumption items based on the obtained categorization information. | 06-28-2012 |
20140237030 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Providing Communications Services - Methods, systems, and products provide communications services. A request for communications service is received. When at least a portion of the communications service requires a processing service, packets of data are subcontracted to a service provider to receive the processing service. A result of the processing service is received and incorporated in the communications service. | 08-21-2014 |
20140297460 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Electronic Purchases - A server receives an electronic shopping cart from a client device. The electronic shopping cart describes an item for purchase from a merchant. The server comparison-shops to determine a different merchant offering the same or comparable item for sale. The server sends a notification to the client device describing a lower price offered by the different merchant. The server may then receive an approval to replace the item selected for purchase from the merchant with the item offered by the different merchant. | 10-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120282501 | Metal Electrode Assembly for Flow Batteries - A flow battery electrode assembly including a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode consisting essentially of a metal and a second permeable electrode. The assembly also includes at least one electrically conductive spacer connecting the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path. At least one electrically conductive spacer includes a plurality of electrically conductive spacers which mechanically and electrically connect adjacent first impermeable, substantially metal and second permeable electrodes. | 11-08-2012 |
20130252041 | Electrode for High Performance Metal Halogen Flow Battery - A porous electrode for a flow battery includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has at least one of a different catalytic property or a different permeability than the second layer. | 09-26-2013 |
20130252044 | Electrode for High Performance Metal Halogen Flow Battery - A porous electrode for a flow battery includes a first layer having a first average pore size and a second layer having a second average pore size, wherein the second pore size is smaller than the first pore size. | 09-26-2013 |
20130266829 | Fluidic Architecture for Metal-Halogen Flow Battery - A metal-halogen flow battery system includes a stack of flow cells, an electrolyte reservoir and one or more of a concentrated halogen return line fluidly connecting the stack to the reservoir, a venturi, a mixer, a concentrated halogen pump, or a concentrated halogen line heater. | 10-10-2013 |
20140017544 | Hydrogen Recombinator - A recombinator for a flow battery including at least one input configured to provide a halogen containing flow stream and hydrogen gas to a reaction chamber and a substrate located in the reaction chamber. The substrate is configured to be directly heated and the substrate contains a catalyst. The recombinator is configured to react the hydrogen gas and the halogen using the catalyst to form a hydrogen-halogen compound. | 01-16-2014 |
20140093804 | METAL-HALOGEN FLOW BATTERY WITH SHUNT CURRENT INTERRUPTION AND SEALING FEATURES - A flow battery includes a stack of flow cells, a stack of cell frames supporting the stack of cells, stack level and cell level flow manifolds located in the stack of cell frames, and at least one sealing or shunt current mitigation feature. | 04-03-2014 |
20140139228 | MASS DISTRIBUTION INDICATION OF FLOW BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE - An electrochemical device includes at least one electrochemical cell having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a reservoir configured to store an electrolyte and a mass distribution measuring device. The mass distribution measuring device includes at least one of a scale, a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir, or at least one strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a change a weight of the at least one electrochemical cell. | 05-22-2014 |
20140152314 | Mass Distribution Indication of Flow Battery State of Charge - An electrochemical device includes at least one electrochemical cell having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a reservoir configured to store an electrolyte and a mass distribution measuring device. The mass distribution measuring device includes at least one of a scale, a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir, or at least one strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a change a weight of the at least one electrochemical cell. | 06-05-2014 |
20140255734 | RESERVOIR FOR MULTIPHASE ELECTROLYTE FLOW CONTROL - A flow battery reservoir includes a reservoir housing, an electrolyte inlet configured to provide an electrolyte mixture containing a liquid metal-halide electrolyte solution and a complexed halogen phase at or toward a stagnant zone in a lower portion of the reservoir, and an electrolyte outlet configured to outlet the liquid metal-halide solution from the reservoir. The electrolyte outlet is positioned such that in use the liquid metal-halide solution flows upward against the force of gravity to reach the electrolyte outlet while the complexed halogen phase settles in the stagnant zone. | 09-11-2014 |
20140308547 | Fluidic Architecture for Metal-Halogen Flow Battery - A metal-halogen flow battery system includes a stack of flow cells, an electrolyte reservoir and one or more of a concentrated halogen return line fluidly connecting the stack to the reservoir, a venturi, a mixer, a concentrated halogen pump, or a concentrated halogen line heater. | 10-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100135355 | Battery thermal event detection system using an optical fiber - 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 an optical fiber mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A source of light is optically coupled to the input facet of the optical fiber and a detector optically coupled to the output facet of the optical fiber. Battery health is determined by monitoring the light transmitted through the optical fiber. | 06-03-2010 |
20100136384 | Battery thermal event detection system using an electrical conductor with a thermally interruptible insulator - 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 an insulated conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A voltage measuring system is coupled to the conductive core of the insulated conductive member, the voltage 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. | 06-03-2010 |
20100136407 | Battery cell with a partial dielectric barrier for improved battery pack mechanical and thermal performance - The adverse effects of the dielectric material covering the lateral outer surface of a conventional battery are eliminated by replacing it with a dielectric barrier that covers less than 20 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case; more preferably less than 15 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case; still more preferably less than 10 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case; and yet still more preferably less than 5 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case. The dielectric barrier may be shrunk-fit, bonded, friction-fit or otherwise held in place. An electrically insulating disk may be interposed between the dielectric barrier and the end edge portion of the cell case. | 06-03-2010 |
20100302051 | Battery thermal event detection system using a thermally interruptible electrical conductor - 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. | 12-02-2010 |
20110076538 | Method and apparatus for the external application of a battery pack adhesive - A method and apparatus for simplifying battery pack assembly that allows inspection of the cell-to-housing bonding region is provided. In particular, a battery pack housing member is provided that includes an interior surface that partially defines the interior region of the battery pack and that includes a plurality of cell mounting wells and an exterior surface that includes a plurality of bonding wells. Adhesive introduced into the bonding wells forms a mechanical bond between an exterior surface of a cell introduced into an adjacent cell mounting well and the housing member. | 03-31-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120030932 | Method of Controlled Cell-Level Fusing Within a Battery Pack - A method is provided that achieves improved battery pack performance, system reliability and system safety while impacting only a small region of the battery pack/battery module, and thus having only a minor impact on battery pack cost, complexity, weight and size. The battery pack/battery module is designed such that the fusible interconnects associated with a single battery, or a specific fusible interconnect associated with a single battery, will be the last interconnect(s) to fuse during a short circuit event. The risk of sustained arcing for the predetermined interconnect(s) is minimized through the use of rapid clearing interconnects. As a result, the risk of damage and excessive heating is also minimized. | 02-09-2012 |
20120034497 | Battery Pack with Cell-Level Fusing - A battery pack, or battery pack module, is provided that achieves improved battery pack performance, system reliability and system safety while impacting only a small region of the battery pack/battery module, and thus having only a minor impact on battery pack cost, complexity, weight and size. The battery pack/battery module is designed such that the fusible interconnects associated with a single battery, or a specific fusible interconnect associated with a single battery, will be the last interconnect(s) to fuse during a short circuit event. The risk of sustained arcing for the predetermined interconnect(s) is minimized through the use of rapid clearing interconnects. As a result, the risk of damage and excessive heating is also minimized. | 02-09-2012 |