Serial Patents (Class 340/12.15)
  • Patent number: 11424954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a sensor arrangement (2) in a motor vehicle (1) based on a DSI protocol, wherein the sensor arrangement (2) has a central processing unit (3) as a master and a plurality of sensor units (S1, S2, S3) as slaves controlled by the master, the central processing unit (3) and the sensor units (S1, S2, S3) are connected to a bus line (4) and communication between the central processing unit (3) and the sensor units (S1, S2, S3) takes place via the bus line (4), characterized by the following method steps: sending a first message from the central processing unit (3) to a first sensor (S1) and subsequently sending a second message from the central processing unit (3) to a second sensor (S2) without the central processing unit (3) waiting to receive a response message from the first sensor (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hallek, Marek Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 10494854
    Abstract: A system and method for managing autonomous operation of a plurality of barriers that include sending at least one barrier control signal from a vehicle to a barrier controller associated with a first barrier of the plurality of barriers to traverse the first barrier. The system and method also include sending at least one barrier control signal from the vehicle to a barrier controller associated with a second barrier of the plurality of barriers to traverse the second barrier. The system and method additionally include sending at least one barrier status update request signal to the barrier controller associated with the first barrier to determine an updated state of the first barrier. The system and method further include sending at least one barrier status update request signal to the barrier controller associated with the second barrier to determine an updated state of the second barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian K. Lickfelt, Kevin Lamm
  • Patent number: 10444038
    Abstract: A device that detects people walking or moving on a floor. It consists of a floor sensor system, usually under a carpet, an electronic interface, computing and storage, a real-time display, data recall, web access and notification. Sophisticated computational intelligence algorithms are used to detect people who fall on the floor. Also detectable is any ambulatory activity, fall or drop and if classified as an event, the event can be sent as a notification via a cell phone, SMS messaging, email, or pagers to the appropriate recipient. Once installed the system operates continuously and the data can be stored for years in the cloud or other format, and can be used to show diagnostically important functional changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Harry W. Tyrer
  • Patent number: 10361788
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a device, method, and computer-readable device for tuning a tunable narrowband infrared (IR) receiver to be compatible with a number of different remote controls having different frequencies. The tunable narrowband IR receiver may be configured to receive IR signals across a number of frequency bands and processing the IR signals in order to learn remote controls having different frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventor: Neil Edward Johnson, III
  • Patent number: 10263760
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method for time synchronization and, more particularly, to a method for time synchronization between devices and the devices using the same. The method for time synchronization includes: receiving data from a first device; checking time information of the first device, which is included in the received data; and correcting a time error based on the checked time information, wherein the time error is corrected using a correction constant according to a time error relative to the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Shin Song
  • Patent number: 9727625
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system uses parallel transaction messages for database replication. The system receives transaction messages from a source system via a plurality of parallel send queues in a receive queue. Each transaction message includes a message identifier indicating a commit order for that transaction. The system reads transaction messages in the receive queue in order in which they were committed against a source database based on the message identifier, and applies changes described by the transaction messages to a target database. Two or more transaction messages in the receive queue are applied to the target database in parallel. The system deletes transaction messages from the receive queue asynchronously to applying changes described by those transaction messages to the target database. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for parallel transaction messages in substantially the same manners described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Serge Bourbonnais, Austin F. M. D'costa, Somil Kulkarni, Yat On Lau, Jonathan W. Wierenga
  • Patent number: 9509372
    Abstract: A bus communication device (10) includes a bus line (12), a master computer (11) connected to the bus line (12) and several subscriber units (14) connected to the bus line (12) via at least one coupling arrangement (17). The master computer (11) controls a communication via the bus line (12) using a fixed, prespecified communication protocol. The subscriber units (14) can communicate among each other, and one subscriber unit (14) can communicate with the master computer (11) consistent with the bus protocol. The bus line (11) is configured for supplying the subscriber units (14) and/or at least one coupling arrangement (17) with electrical energy for communication. Each subscriber unit (14) can modulate the subscriber current (IT) consistent with a first modulation (M1), and each subscriber unit (14) and/or each coupling arrangement (17) can modulate the current (IT, IK) consistent with a second modulation (M2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: R. STAHL SCHALTGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Seifried
  • Patent number: 9083575
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described, such as those including parallel paths coupled between a first power supply and a second power supply. The parallel paths include different values of capacitance to reduce unwanted variations as a function of current demand frequency such as resonance. A selectable resistance is provided along one or more parallel paths, and can be varied during different times in a signal burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Hollis
  • 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: 20140036734
    Abstract: A communication system where first and second devices communicate concurrently and bidirectionally over a single wire, in addition to a ground. The second device can be a computing device having a powered component which requires a certain power output, for instance, and the first device may be a power supply unit. The second device provides a signal on a control line (the single wire) which is characterized by a frequency, pulse width, duty cycle and/or an amplitude which is associated with a message from the second device. The first device recognizes the message in the signal and invokes a corresponding function, such as by enabling a corresponding power supply. The power supply provides power to the second device via a separate power line. Further, the first device modifies the signal, without adding power, to provide a message from the first device, concurrent with the message from the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chee K. Fong, Suet Fong Tin, Harjit Singh, Peter Atkinson, Perry Stultz, Jeremy Braun, Duane M. Evans
  • Patent number: 8638198
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a universal remote control device detecting user input requesting that the universal remote control device be operated in a learning mode, initiating, in response to the user input, operation of the universal remote control device in the learning mode, receiving, during the operation of the universal remote control device in the learning mode, a device code via an inter-device communication, and automatically configuring, in response to the receiving of the device code via the inter-device communication, the universal remote control device for remotely controlling a target device associated with the device code. Corresponding systems, methods, and apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Earl W. Vanderhoff, Frank A. McKiel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8587415
    Abstract: A wall switch motion sensor detects motion using a lens and an infrared detector, and in response performs a function (for example, turns on a light). The motion sensor is also adapted to respond to IR remote control signals of the type customarily used to control electronic consumer devices in the home. In one example, a user uses an ordinary remote control device to transmit a sequence of IR control signals and dead times toward the motion sensor. The detector in the motion sensor detects each IR control signal as an increased amount of IR energy, whereas it detects a dead time as a period of less IR energy. If the periodicity of the sequence is appropriate, then the wall switch motion sensor determines that the sequence is an instruction. In one example, the instruction is to turn on/off the light controlled by the wall switch motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: IXYS CH GmbH
    Inventor: Christopher W. Followell
  • Patent number: 8497652
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine assembly for connection to a system controller. The assembly includes at least one input contact for receiving a control signal from the system controller and a processor coupled to the input contact. The processor is configured to operate the assembly in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode when the control signal is a PWM control signal and to operate the assembly in a serial mode when the control signal is a serial communication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash B. Shahi, Arthur E. Woodward, Mark E. Carrier
  • Patent number: 8188842
    Abstract: The rotation operation plane of the ring-shaped operation members that operate the rotation is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the rotation operation of the ring-shaped operation member can be performed without holding a finger in the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the rotation operation plane is inclined with respect to the placement plane of the case, static friction on the placement plane is generated by a force component of the operation force acting on the rotation operation plane and is perpendicular to the placement plane, thus the case does not move toward the rotation operation direction during the rotation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Otsuka, Ryuhei Noguchi, Noriaki Miyata
  • Patent number: 8120470
    Abstract: An edge signal extractor generates an edge signal according to a sound wave generated for controlling the electronic appliance. According to the edge signal, an edge pulse generator generates an edge pulse. If a predetermined number of such edge signals are generated, a controller displays, on a display of the electronic appliance, one of menu images associated with control operations of the electronic appliance in an active state. The controller alternately displays, in an active state, the menu images on the display at predetermined intervals. When the edge pulse is generated, the controller carries out the control operation associated with the presently displayed menu image with respect to an electronic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventor: Masahiro Kitaura
  • Patent number: 8106749
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided for controlling a controller without physically touching the controller. A hand or other object interacts with a field surrounding the controller, altering the field. A change in characteristic of the altered field causes a corresponding movement of the controller that, in turn, corresponds to an amount of change in a parameter of a target device being controlled by the controller. The parameter of the target device is controlled by the controller while a user has no physical contact with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson MObile Communications AB
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Ina, William O. Camp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8018325
    Abstract: A remote control system includes an information processing apparatus and a remote controller. The remote controller includes a start notification transmitter that transmits a notification for causing the information processing apparatus to start recording an inter-device distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Isozu