David Eric Erickson

US Patent:

7132946, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Apr 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/820584

Inventors:

Michele A. Waldner - Minneapolis MN, US
David P. Erickson - Stillwater MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405721, 3405727, 340 102

Abstract:

Various radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described that dynamically vary their resonant frequency to reduce or eliminate the potential effects of electromagnetic “tag-to-tag” coupling. An RFID tag, for example, includes a main antenna tuned to a first resonant frequency, and switching circuitry that dynamically changes the resonant frequency of the main antenna. The switching circuitry may selectively couple electrical elements, such as capacitive elements, inductive elements, or combinations thereof, to vary the resonant frequency of the RFID tag. The RFID tag may include a sensing circuit that determines when to selectively couple the electrical element to the main antenna to adjust the resonant frequency of the main antenna.

US Patent:

7256692, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Dec 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/021646

Inventors:

Richard D. Vatsaas - Eagan MN, US
David B. Erickson - Farmington MN, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G08B 13/00

US Classification:

340550, 340540, 307116, 307147

Abstract:

One apparatus embodiment includes a patterned electrically conductive layer, a power source, and an actuator. The power source provides an electrical signal to the electrically conductive layer. The monitoring unit monitors the electrical signal and initiates an action based upon a change in the electrical signal.

US Patent:

7295120, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

Dec 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/008858

Inventors:

Michele A. Waldner - Minneapolis MN, US
David P. Erickson - Stillwater MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405727, 3405728, 3405721, 34082549, 235385

Abstract:

A device for verifying a location of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on an item. One embodiment of the invention provides a device for verifying the location of an RFID tag on an item including: an item holder; and an RF antenna attached to the item holder, where the item holder includes a readable volume where the RF antenna can read or write to an RFID tag, and where the item holder includes a non-readable volume where the RF antenna cannot read or write to an RFID tag. The present invention also relates to methods of verifying the location of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on an item.

US Patent:

7304577, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Nov 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/555699

Inventors:

Michele A. Waldner - Minneapolis MN, US
David P. Erickson - Stillwater MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405721, 3405727, 340 102

Abstract:

Various radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described that dynamically vary their resonant frequency to reduce or eliminate the potential effects of electromagnetic “tag-to-tag” coupling. An RFID tag, for example, includes a main antenna tuned to a first resonant frequency, and switching circuitry that dynamically changes the resonant frequency of the main antenna. The switching circuitry may selectively couple electrical elements, such as capacitive elements, inductive elements, or combinations thereof, to vary the resonant frequency of the RFID tag. The RFID tag may include a sensing circuit that determines when to selectively couple the electrical element to the main antenna to adjust the resonant frequency of the main antenna.

US Patent:

7511601, Mar 31, 2009

Filed:

May 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/153124

Inventors:

Peter M. Eisenberg - Minneapolis MN, US
David P. Erickson - Stillwater MN, US
Edward D. Goff - Mahtomedi MN, US
Mitchell B. Grunes - Minneapolis MN, US
Gene J. Hickok - Cottage Grove MN, US
Janet T. Keller - Eagan MN, US
Jon A. Kirschhoffer - White Bear Lake MN, US
John M. Kruse - Minneapolis MN, US
Diane E. Morel - Shoreview MN, US
Scott D. Pearson - Woodbury MN, US
Chester Piotrowski - White Bear Lake MN, US
Edmund J. Ring - Circle Pines MN, US
Robert A. Sainati - Bloomington MN, US
Michele A. Waldner - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H04Q 5/22

US Classification:

340 351, 34082549, 340 101, 340 102, 340 1032, 3405721

Abstract:

Various systems and methods of handling items such as files are disclosed, including systems and methods for polling RFID-tagged items while they are stored in storage areas.

US Patent:

20050190072, Sep 1, 2005

Filed:

Feb 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/788061

Inventors:

Katherine Brown - Lake Elmo MN, US
Catherine Behun - White Bear Lake MN, US
Kaileen Chen - White Bear Lake MN, US
David Erickson - Stillwater MN, US
Ronald Jesme - Plymouth MN, US
Orlin Knudson - Vadnais Heights MN, US
Robert Lorentz - North Oaks MN, US
James McGee - Cedar MN, US
Robert Sainati - Bloomington MN, US
Lucien Solefack - Inver Grove Heights MN, US
Justin Tungjunyatham - Falcon Heights MN, US
Christopher Yungers - St. Paul MN, US

International Classification:

G08B005/22

US Classification:

340825360

Abstract:

An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.

US Patent:

20060071774, Apr 6, 2006

Filed:

Aug 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/209118

Inventors:

Katherine Brown - Lake Elmo MN, US
Catherine Behun - White Bear Lake MN, US
Kaileen Chen - White Bear Lake MN, US
David Erickson - Stillwater MN, US
Ronald Jesme - Plymouth MN, US
Orlin Knudson - Vadnais Heights MN, US
Robert Lorentz - North Oaks MN, US
James McGee - Cedar MN, US
Robert Sainati - Bloomington MN, US
Lucien Solefack - Inver Grove Heights MN, US
Justin Tungjunyatham - Falcon Heights MN, US
Christopher Yungers - St.Paul MN, US
Michael Hamerly - Vadnais Heights MN, US
Scott Pearson - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G08B 19/00
G08B 1/00
G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340522000, 340531000, 340686600

Abstract:

An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.

US Patent:

20090024526, Jan 22, 2009

Filed:

Oct 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/877512

Inventors:

David Erickson - Excelsior MN, US

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

705 44, 709217, 705 35

Abstract:

One preferred embodiment provides mobile device based registrations and transactions by providing an aggregator, in the form of a server connected to the internet for collecting and selectively distributing user data. The aggregator may obtain the user data through the mobile network operator, a third party data source (e.g., a credit reporting bureau), or from one-time user input with the aggregator. The user can selectively transmit their user data quickly (e.g., with the selection of a single link) via their mobile device between the aggregator and a third party content provider (e.g., a gambling site, adult content site, banking site, etc.).