Patents Examined by Matsuichiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7227449
    Abstract: A communication link is established between the smart card and a computer using a valid smart card communication protocol. A smart card communication device determines the valid smart card communication protocol used by a smart card by polling a communication channel using a plurality of smart card communication protocols until a valid acknowledgment message is received. A radio frequency circuit is configured to communicate with the smart card using the valid smart card communication protocol. A digital signal processor having at least two demodulators demodulates an incoming data stream produced by the receiver in accordance with the valid smart card communication protocol in a dynamically reconfigurable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Walter C. Bonneau, Jr., Tom Vilhelmsen, Carlos Eduardo Ribeiro, Stefan Rousseau, Phil Dixon
  • Patent number: 7190256
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a security method for gaining access, which allows authorized persons to gain access to a protected area and prevents access by unauthorized persons. The method is characterized in that a number of persons in a verification area are determined, a number of authorization passes present in said area are verified, the number of persons and the number of authorization passes are compared and if the number of persons agrees with the number of authorized passes, an access approval signal is generated. The disclosure also relates to a device that is suitable for carrying out the method and for an elevator equipped with such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG.
    Inventor: Norbert Pieper
  • Patent number: 7161466
    Abstract: A programmable remote control automatically learns characteristics necessary to generate an appliance activation signal. A sensor is positioned proximate to the appliance. A sequence of different activation signals is transmitted. A determination as to which signal activated the appliance is made based on a received sensor signal. Data representing the determined activation scheme is associated with an activation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Chuey
  • Patent number: 7129852
    Abstract: A vehicle immobilization system (10) is coupled to a network system (20) and includes a vehicle that has a speed sensor (34) generating a vehicle speed signal, a telematics control unit (48) receiving and transmitting signals to and from the network (20), and a speed control module (72). An immobilization controller (30) is coupled to the speed sensor (34), the telematics control unit (48), and the speed control module (72). The immobilization controller (30) receives an immobilization signal from the network (20) and sets a maximum operating speed for the power train controller. When the vehicle speed signal is below the maximum operating speed, the immobilization controller reduces the maximum operating speed within the speed control module until a lower predetermined speed limit is met. The lower speed limit is preferably greater than zero so that some limited mobility of the vehicle may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bo Aslund, Frank Perry, Gurpreet Aulakh, James W. Helmke, Mark A. Cuddihy, Ulrika Gillenius
  • Patent number: 7084738
    Abstract: A pick/put to display (PTD) device includes an image display that allows the PTD device to display images related to a product, such as a picture of the product or an instructional video. By having the capability to display images of the product, the PTD device is able to reduce the risk that the wrong product will be picked or placed in a storage location. The image display further allows the PTD device to display arrows that can point in a multitude of directions. With the capability of having arrows point in numerous directions, a single PTD device is able to service multiple storage locations, thereby reducing the number of PTD devices needed. The PTD device is further capable of downloading and playing sound files for a product so that audio instructions or alerts can be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: ASAP Automation, LLC
    Inventor: William A. Bastian, II
  • Patent number: 7061369
    Abstract: A bidirectional dialogue is carried out between a portable code emitter (15) and a base station (1) for access to a motor vehicle. Both signals are correlated with each other and the dialogue repeated at an altered carrier frequency. The distance of the code emitter (15) from the base station (11) is determined from the difference in two phase difference measurements between the sent and received signal in one station (11 or 15). Access to, or use of the motor vehicle (10) is only permitted when the code emitter (15) is within a certain distance from the motor vehicle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Nikolas Bergerhoff
  • Patent number: 7057523
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device with wireless control function which can be divided into two parts comprising a main part and a remote control part. The main part includes a connection port, a memory system and a remote control signal reception module, while the remote control part including a function-key module, a controller, a remote control signal emission module and a power storage unit. The function-key module produces a set of key signals while being pressed, and the controller produces a control signal corresponding to the set of key signals. The remote control signal emission module emits a remote control signal corresponding to the control signal. The remote control signal reception module produces a host control signal corresponding to the remote control signal, and the host control signal is transferred to the host via the connection port to control operations of the host. The power storage unit stores power which is provided to the remote control part while the remote control part is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Ritek Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Chuan Lin, Chun-Chieh Chen, Hung-Ju Shen, Chien-Hua Wu, Sheng-Lin Chiu, Huan-Tung Wang, Hsin-Chih Hung
  • Patent number: 7046161
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 7042333
    Abstract: An access control system for work vehicles has a display, an operator input device and a computer configured to program individual vehicles keys to operate individual vehicles or groups of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Dix, Marius Bojarski
  • Patent number: 7030732
    Abstract: A system for locating an individual in a facility, the system comprising a portable wireless transponder device borne by the individual; an interrogator; and a plurality of antennas distributed in the facility, the antennas being selectively separately connected to the interrogator, the interrogator when connected to any of the antennas having a communications range covering less than the area of the entire facility, the interrogator being configured to repeatedly transmit a wireless command to the portable wireless transponder device using alternating antennas, the portable wireless transponder device being configured to transmit data identifying the portable wireless transponder device in response to a command if the portable wireless transponder device is within communications range of the antenna sending the command, the individual being locatable by determining with which antenna the interrogator was able to establish communications with the portable wireless transponder device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7026915
    Abstract: Upon providing information from an information center (1) to the user of a navigation apparatus (2) connected via a wireless/wired communication line, the user sets a category used to specify contents that he or she wants to receive, and a service timing of the contents to the user of the navigation apparatus (2) in advance. The information center (1) provides contents, which are extracted from many unspecified contents provided from a contents service center (6) and satisfy the category, to the navigation apparatus (2). The navigation apparatus (2) provides the acquired contents to the user in accordance with the service timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohmura, Kouji Hosoda, Kenichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7023321
    Abstract: In a transmitting and receiving method, a request signal is transmitted between a first and an additional transmitting and receiving device by means of a bi-directional first communications path. According to the request signal, a second communications path is established for a predetermined time interval and the receiving power in the additional transmitting and receiving device is measured by means of a measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alain Marc Bernard Brillon, Klaus Hofbeck, Johannes Ilg, Wolfgang Piesch
  • Patent number: 7019616
    Abstract: A messaging system for determining whether a wireless message has been transmitted includes a wireless transmitter, a messaging controller and a transmission monitor. The transmission monitor receives all wireless messages transmitted by the transmitter and provides them to the messaging controller for comparison with message requests that were sent to the transmitter by the messaging controller. If a particular wireless message has not been received by the transmission monitor and fed back to the messaging controller within a predetermined amount of time, the messaging controller triggers at least one controlling action such as re-sending the message request to the transmitter, switching channels in the transmitter or notifying a system administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Jorge D. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6992563
    Abstract: A method for providing an anti-theft mechanism for devices, in particular for car radios, in that a code which identifies the device must be entered directly into the device in order to activate the device. The code is derived from an item of check information assigned to the device, using an irreversible encryption method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Plumeier
  • Patent number: 6992564
    Abstract: A system and method described for tracking portable devices. The system may include a transmitter which transmits wireless inquiries to a plurality of portable devices and a receiver receiving replies to the inquiries from the portable devices. In addition, the system may include a memory storing identifier data corresponding to the portable devices and a processor coupled to the memory and to the receiver, the processor retrieving from each reply, identifier data uniquely identifying a particular one of the portable devices which generated the reply and comparing the identifier data to the stored identifier data. Furthermore, the system may include an alarm system coupled to the processor and controlled based on the comparison of stored identifier data to the identifier data retrieved from the replies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean A. Connolly, William Sackett, Stephen J. Shellhammer, Frank Boccuzzi, Adam Levine
  • Patent number: 6965297
    Abstract: A system for delivering page messages to paging units over a wide area is provided through multiple transmission systems. The system has a controller for routing page messages to each paging unit through the transmission system to which the paging unit is registered. Each transmission system periodically sends a system message having at least a unique identifier for the transmission system. Each paging unit receives system messages of at least one of the transmission systems when located in the transmission system's coverage area, and receives page messages from the transmission system registered to the paging unit when located in that transmission system's coverage area. Paging units update their registration with the controller in accordance with the identifier of received system messages different from their current registered identifier via user enabled or automatic means. The controller may resend messages to paging units which were sent during periods of unlikely reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Enhanced Messaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Ernest Sandahl
  • Patent number: 6958702
    Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises a portable transmitter, having operating switches, first and second storing units, a first control unit, ID registration mode setting unit, and a transmitting unit; and a receiver, having a receiving unit, a third storing unit wherein reference code is stored, and a control signal generating unit. The portable transmitter transmits signals containing the ID code, and the receiver supplies control signals to controlled mechanisms at the time that the ID code within the received signals matches the reference code. The ID code is made up of a plurality of ID code sections. When the first control unit is set to the ID registration mode and at least one operating switch is operated the ID code section is eventually registered to the first storing unit as the ID code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Yamasaki, Koichi Abe
  • Patent number: 6954151
    Abstract: A selector switch for a supervisory remote control system is provided. This control system comprises operation terminals such as switches and control terminals such as relays, and a signal line for connecting a signal transmission unit to the operation and control terminals. Each of the operation and control terminals has an individual address. The transmission unit provides a control signal to the signal line according to a time-division-multiplexing manner such that when one of the operation terminals is operated, a load connected to the control terminal in an address correspondence with the operation terminal can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mototsugu Kawamata, Toshiaki Tokizane, Shinji Sakasegawa
  • Patent number: 6950007
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for monitoring enablement of an electrical apparatus connected to a power grid. The method consists in: transmitting (A) from a specialised transmitter (ES) to the electrical apparatus (EA) a coded information message comprising an enablement information, in accordance with an enablement control code; and in receiving (B) by means of a receiver (R) equipping the electrical apparatus (EA) said information message. The latter is decoded (C) in accordance with specific enablement data integrated in the receiver (R) to generate decoded enablement data. The enablement of the electrical apparatus (EA) is granted (D, E) if the decoded data are in conformity with the integrated specific enablement data and enablement is refused (D, F) otherwise. The invention is useful for protecting electrical appliances against theft, for managing service delivery on a distant site, monitoring contractual terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Electricite de France Service National
    Inventors: Fabrice Martin, Robert Froehlich, Yves Dherbecourt
  • Patent number: 6946952
    Abstract: A data carrier (1) for contactless communication with the communication station comprises firstly a reception stage (3) for receiving an interrogation signal (IS), secondly a generation stage (17) for generating a response signal (RS) upon reception of the interrogation signal (IS), thirdly a processing circuit (18) for processing the response signal (RS) into a transmission signal (MCRS) suitable for transmission to the communication station, fourthly a determination device (22) for determinating at least one representative value (REP1, REP2), the representative value (REP1, REP2) representing the field strength of the field acting on the data carrier (1), and fifthly a control connection (25) between the determination device (22) and the processing circuit (18), wherein the processing circuit (18) is influenced via the control connection (25) in order to vary a transmission parameter of a transmission signal generated by the processing circuit (18) as a function of the at least one representative value (REP
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Josef Preishuber-Pfluegl, Franz Amtmann