Radio Patents (Class 340/12.5)
  • Publication number: 20120154128
    Abstract: A terminal includes a first interface to receive an application for controlling an appliance, a memory to store the application received through the first interface, and a controller to control formation of a wireless link between the terminal and appliance, synchronization of an attribute of the appliance through the wireless link, and display of info nation identifying a function or set value corresponding to the attribute. The controller may also control execution of the application to transmit a first signal, which may be one for causing an operation to be performed for the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Sunguk Cho, Hoocheol Lee, Muhyun Moon, Dongbum Hwang, Sooyoung Lee
  • Publication number: 20120146775
    Abstract: Provided is a communication processing module, which is compatible with various kinds of devices to be operated by an operation input device. The communication processing module for the device to be operated receives any one of a standard operation signal specifying a standard action and a specific operation signal specifying an action unique to the device to be operated, which are transmitted by the operation input device. When the received operation signal is the standard operation signal, the communication processing module causes the device to be operated to execute an action corresponding to a content of the operation signal, and when the received operation signal is the specific operation signal, transfers data contained in the signal to a unique processing module. The unique processing module causes the device to be operated to execute an action corresponding to a content of the data transferred from the communication processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Gen Kudo, Toshiyuki Kurosaki, Hideki Tanabe, Kiyoto Shibuya
  • Patent number: 8200375
    Abstract: A radio controlled (RC) aircraft includes a receiver that is coupled to receive an RF signal from a remote control device, the RF signal containing command data in accordance with a first coordinate system, wherein the first coordinate system is from a perspective of the remote control device. A motion sensing module generates motion data based on the motion of the RC aircraft. A processing module transforms the command data into control data in accordance with a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system is from a perspective of the RC aircraft. A plurality of control devices control the motion of the RC aircraft based on the control data. In an embodiment, a remote control device commands the RC helicopter to substantially a hovering state when no force is applied to each of a plurality of spring-loaded interface devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Katherine C. Stuckman, Michael D. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20120126972
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a wireless control glove are optimized for use with powered rideable boards, mobility devices, or remote-controlled (RC) models. Incremental, “analog-like” throttle control takes full advantage of the nuanced power variability provided by electric motors. The control glove can be operated one-handed, by touch alone, in any body position, yet the input transducer placement prevents accidental commands. An output transducer on the glove provides alerts on power-reserve (e.g. battery) status. The alerts are detectable either by touch alone or a quick glance with peripheral vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Dainuri Rott, Paul Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120126956
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide for novel toy remote controller and recharger (TRCR) (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for remote controlling and for use in recharging of a toy item (2010, 2009, 1974). The TRCR (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) operates in two modes of operation, where in a first mode of operation the TRCR (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) it is used for controlling a play flow of the toy item (2010, 2009, 1974) through transmitting a playflow control wireless signal (102b) from a wireless transmitter (102a) in response to input from a user and in a second mode of operation the TRCR (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is for recharging of the toy item (2010, 2009, 1974) through electrical power provided from the USB port (110) when a toy charging connector (101) is coupled with the toy item (2010, 2009, 1974).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Trzecieski, David Piltz
  • Publication number: 20120126957
    Abstract: A wireless remote control comprising a sensor that generates an output signal as a function of its alignment that directly or indirectly activates or deactivates at least one electronic circuit, a plug socket, a first contact of the plug socket connected to a control input of a power supply device, an external plug that connects the first contact to a second contact when inserted into the plug socket and thus the power supply device is deactivated independently of the output signal of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FM MARKETING GMBH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Maier
  • Publication number: 20120119886
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a wireless communication system adapted to produce a closed-loop feedback scheme between a handheld remote control and an adjustable bed controller. The adjustable bed controller is adapted to, in response to a receipt of a motion command from the handheld remote control via the closed-loop feedback scheme, adjust, with feedback, a portion of an adjustable bed. The feedback is based on a comparison of sensor feedback and a predetermined position stored in a memory of the adjustable bed controller. The handheld remote control can receive, through the closed-loop feedback scheme, a returned confirmation reflecting the state of the position of the bed segment in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
  • Publication number: 20120119887
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a two-way wireless communication system adapted to communicate between a handheld remote control and an adjustable bed controller. The handheld remote control includes a user interface adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed using the two-way wireless communication system. The user interface is adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of a home control system. A display on the user interface is used to display a graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter and a graphical representation of the home control system parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
  • Publication number: 20120112891
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a wireless communication system adapted to produce a closed-loop feedback scheme between a handheld remote control and at least an adjustable bed controller and a secondary device. The adjustable bed controller is adapted to adjust, with feedback, a portion of an adjustable bed. The feedback is based on a comparison of sensor feedback and a predetermined position stored in a memory of the adjustable bed controller. The handheld remote control is capable of transmitting a control signal for an articulating adjustment of the position of a bed segment to the adjustable bed controller using the closed-loop feedback scheme and controlling at least one function of the secondary device. The handheld remote control is also capable of receiving, through the closed-loop feedback scheme, a returned confirmation reflecting the state of the position of the bed segment in response to said control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
  • Publication number: 20120112890
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a handheld control with a user interface adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed and a parameter of a home control system. A display on the user interface displays a graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter and a graphical representation of the home control system parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
  • Patent number: 8174364
    Abstract: An RFID reader requires significant power supply current, upwards or beyond 0.5 amps. Much of this power is expended to activate the reader's radio frequency transmitter. For example, the reader's transmitter may constantly be active awaiting a RFID tag entering within its electromagnetic field. Sometimes an adequate power source, such as AC mains, is not available to provide continuous operation and instead a battery is powers the reader. This invention detects that a RFID tag is within reader range without using the reader's RF transmitter at full power. As a RFID tag is brought within range of a reader's antenna there is significant mutual inductance coupling between the tag antenna and the reader's antenna and this invention provides a sensitive detector of this mutual inductance. The detection of mutual inductance automatically triggers the reader's transmitter to a higher power which is necessary to fully activate the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Kenneth Pedigo
  • Publication number: 20120102894
    Abstract: A box assembly includes a base defining an interior storage compartment, a lid movable relative to the base to selectively cover the interior storage compartment, a base plate adapted to be fixedly mounted to the lid, a power source disposed along the base plate, a power actuator disposed along the base plate and electrically connected to the power source, a latch mechanism disposed along the base plate and operably connected to the power actuator for movement between a locked position, in which the lid is retained against the base, and an unlocked position, in which the lid is movable relative to the base, and a keyless entry receiver disposed along the base plate and operably coupled to the power actuator, the keyless entry receiver actuating the power actuator to move the latch mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to a signal from a transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: David Lee TerHaar, Matthew John Lepard
  • Publication number: 20120098649
    Abstract: An open-loop or closed-loop control device for electric components which are arranged in or on a piece of furniture or a part of a piece of furniture, having: a microprocessor, which carries out the open-loop and/or closed-loop control functions during operation, and an interface for wire-free communication between the open-loop or closed-loop control device and the outside world, wherein the microprocessor and the interface are arranged in a common housing and are arranged either on printed circuit boards which are detachably attached to one another or on printed circuit boards which are arranged separately from one another in or on the open-loop or closed-loop control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Mathias GRIMM, Thomas Taimler
  • Patent number: 8159156
    Abstract: A lighting system for areal illumination is disclosed which includes a remote driver and a plurality of fixtures including luminaires, control devices, and/or standalone sensors. A method of commissioning a lighting system is also disclosed which includes causing a light source co-located with each luminaire to emit a signal, detecting the signal at light sensors co-located with each luminaire, converting the signals obtained by the light sensors into distance measurements between luminaires, creating a map recording the relative location of luminaires, and assigning luminaires to groups based on their relative locations in the map. A movable orb region containing luminaires can also be defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Henig, David Fowler, Jeremy Stieglitz, David Leonard, Mark Covaro
  • Publication number: 20120086560
    Abstract: An outdoor lighting system and operating methods are presented in which RF-enabled outdoor lighting fixtures form one or more mesh networks and a lighting control system obtains data from RF-enabled utility meters by communications through a general purpose network and the RF mesh network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Laszlo Sandor Ilyes, Jason D. Creighton
  • Publication number: 20120081215
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote control device is configured to receive a portable control device into a recess, such that the portable control device is mechanically and electrically coupled to the remote control device. The portable control device communicates with a programmable multimedia controller, by way of a bi-directional wireless communication path, and with a dedicated wireless receiver, providing a redundant communication path. The remote control device includes surface enhanced buttons that allow a user to make selections by the sense of touch for changing settings of components associated with the programmable multimedia controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Peter H. Corsini, Timothy R. Locascio, Michael E. Noonan, Michael C. Silva
  • Publication number: 20120068832
    Abstract: Presented is a wall-mounted control system for a portable touch screen device. The control system includes a housing, a touch screen mounting member moveably coupled to the housing and configured to releasably hold the portable touch screen device, a processor configured for providing an interface between the portable touch screen device and one or more remote systems, a docking connector configured for electrically mating with the portable touch screen device and establishing electrical communication between the processor and the portable touch screen device, and a communication circuitry configured for establishing communication between the processor the one or more remote systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: George Feldstein, Mark LaBosco, Timothy Wickham
  • Patent number: 8135415
    Abstract: Described are integrated active tags in a mobile device. The mobile device may include (a) a transceiver broadcasting a first location beacon when a capacity of a battery of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold; and (b) a tag broadcasting a second location beacon when the capacity of the battery of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Malik, Robert Perri
  • Publication number: 20120056726
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a remotely controllable step dimmer for controlling one or more fluorescent light fixtures with a fixed or transportable light controller with a wireless signal transmitter and at least a first control input or switch configured for manual actuation by a lighting system user. The light controller transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit one of a plurality of uniquely encoded or modulated lighting control signals to at least a first light fixture's wireless receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. PAUL
  • Publication number: 20120056727
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an equipment status controlling method and equipment. The method comprises arranging a corresponding wireless communicating part for at least one component of a piece of equipment, the wireless communicating part comprising a storage unit for storing component information and a transmitting unit for transmitting the component information based on wireless signal; receiving the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless communicating part and parsing the wireless signal to obtain the component information. The equipment status controlling method and equipment provided by the invention obtain the status of a component in the equipment correctly and easily by arranging wireless communicating part on the components. Arranging the wireless communicating part and reading the wireless signal can be realized easily, which substantially will not affect the existing work of the equipment and can obtain the status of the components without disassembling or replacing the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: LIPING ZHU
  • Publication number: 20120056728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling transmissions of a batteryless device (1) operating in a wireless network, the method comprising the following steps: the batteryless device (1) transmitting a frame including elements for controlling operation of a remote device (2a), or controlled device, the batteryless device being configured with a predetermined number of planned retransmissions of the control frame, the batteryless device sensing a change in the physical phenomenon induced by operation of the controlled device (2a), the batteryless device determining, based on the sensing step, the success or failure of the frame transmission, in case the transmission has succeeded, the batteryless device omitting further retransmissions of the control frame. The present invention also relates to a batteryless device carrying out such method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Bozena Erdmann, Lelkens Michel Marie Lelkens, Ludovicus Marinus Gerardus Marie Tolhuizen, Wei Yuan
  • Publication number: 20120044061
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for use in remote controlling devices including consumer electronic devices. Some embodiments provide a remote control system that comprises a processor, a touch screen display coupled with and receiving display control signals from the display driver such that the touch screen display displays one of a plurality of control views with a fixed number of function buttons displayed in each of the plurality of control views, and a wireless transmitter coupled with the processor that wirelessly transmits function signals in response to a detection of a selection of one of the function buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicants: SONY ELECTRONICS INC., SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryutaro Sakai, Isamu Arie, Yuki Kubota, Kuninori Hyogo, Fumiya Matsuoka
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120038455
    Abstract: A method of associating a transmitter and a receiver in a supplemental remote control system for materials handling vehicles includes initiating a power on sequence to enable a vehicle for operation, the vehicle having a receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted travel commands, and pairing and synchronizing the receiver and a corresponding vehicle controller to a select one of a plurality of wireless remote control devices. Pairing mode confidence signals are received at the vehicle receiver, wherein each pairing mode confidence signal provides a transmitter identification that uniquely identifies a corresponding wireless remote control device within range of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James V. Kraimer, Jay G. Pollack, Timothy A. Wellman, Eric Jensen, Monty Crabill, Kurt Dykema, Paul Duckworth, Todd A. Zeilinger
  • Publication number: 20120031567
    Abstract: A door system includes a support connected to a structure, and a door mounted on the support and movable relative to the support between an opened position and a closed position. The door includes a detection device and a remote module coupled to the detection device. The remote module includes a battery and an RF module for supporting two-way communication and sending signals indicative of the status of the detection device and the battery. The door system also includes a motor to drive the door, and a controller to control the motor. The controller includes a user interface and a memory. The door system also includes a base module coupled to the controller for receiving signals from the remote module. The received signals are indicative of the status of the detection device and the battery. The base module also sends signals related to successful transmission acknowledgements to the remote module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: William W. SHIER, Lee H. Theusch, Allan B. Czubin, Robert J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8111138
    Abstract: Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Visible Assets, Inc.
    Inventors: John K Stevens, Paul Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 8112189
    Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
  • Publication number: 20120025957
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module includes at least one wireless receiving/transmitting processing unit configured to receive, transmit and process a data flow including a multimedia data packet and a control data packet. The second wireless communication module includes at least one wireless receiving/transmitting processing unit and a multimedia data outputting unit. The control data packet of the data flow includes a first remote control data packet and a second remote control data packet. The second wireless communication module is remotely controlled by the first wireless communication module according to the first remote control data packet. The first wireless communication module is remotely controlled by the second wireless communication module according to the second remote control data packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: COMPAL COMMUNICATION, INC.
    Inventor: Chia-Ning Yang
  • Patent number: 8106745
    Abstract: A system for using a watermark embedded in an audio signal to remotely control a device. Various devices such as toys, computers, and appliances, equipped with an appropriate detector, detect the hidden signals, which can trigger an action, or change a state of the device. The watermarks can be used with a “time gate” device, where detection of the watermark opens a time interval within which a user is allowed to perform an action, such as pressing a button, typing in an answer, turning a key in a lock, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Verance Corporation
    Inventors: Rade Petrovic, Joseph M. Winograd
  • Patent number: 8106750
    Abstract: A method for recognizing a control command and a control device using the same that can efficiently increase the recognition rate for a control command that includes a button input and/or speech input. The method includes receiving information input by a user; extracting a control command, which is mapped to a control object, to which a command focus is set, and the input information, with reference to predetermined reference information if the control object exists; and outputting a control signal according to the extracted control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-mi Cho, Jae-won Lee
  • Patent number: 8106744
    Abstract: A system for using a watermark embedded in an audio signal to remotely control a device. Various devices such as toys, computers, and appliances, equipped with an appropriate detector, detect the hidden signals, which can trigger an action, or change a state of the device. The watermarks can be used with a “time gate” device, where detection of the watermark opens a time interval within which a user is allowed to perform an action, such as pressing a button, typing in an answer, turning a key in a lock, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Verance Corporation
    Inventors: Rade Petrovic, Joseph M. Winograd
  • Publication number: 20120019370
    Abstract: A device/system and method for providing remote wireless control to electronic devices such as a tactical flashlight or an electronic night vision scope are disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, a smart battery is employed that uses a battery sized external housing, but however replaces a power cell with wireless electronics. Next, an existing battery in the electronic device is replaced with battery sized housing with wireless electronics. A similar device is disclosed herein that replaces a typical end cap of an electronics device and is essentially retrofitted with wireless electronics and replaced to the device where such replacement is attainable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Sergei Y. Mironichev, Christopher D. Mechling
  • Publication number: 20120013449
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) remote controller device comprises radio frequency (RF) circuitry operably coupled to an antenna arrangement and arranged to transmit and receive RF signals to and from controllable devices. The RF remote controller device further comprises signal process logic operably coupled to the RF circuitry and to a user interface. The antenna arrangement is arranged to comprise a directivity characteristic. The signal processing logic upon receipt of a command input from the user interface, is arranged to: determine at least one link quality value that is at least partly dependent upon the directivity characteristic for the at least one controllable device; and select the controllable device for remote controlling based on the determined at least one link quality value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicusor Penisoara, Razvan-Mihai Lucaci
  • Publication number: 20120007724
    Abstract: A remote control system includes a mobile device and a receiver connected to a control target. The mobile device includes an input unit accepting user's input operation; an operation signal transmission unit wirelessly transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the input operation during the input operation; a frequency switching determination unit determining whether to switch the transmission frequency band from a first frequency band to a second frequency band based on at least any one of a manner of the input operation and a state of wireless communication; and a transmission frequency switching unit switching the transmission frequency band when the frequency switching determination unit determines to switch the transmission frequency band. The receiver includes an operation signal reception unit receiving the operation signal; and a control unit controlling the control target on the basis of the received operation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroko Murakami, Hiroki Okada, Arinobu Kimura, Kazuhiro Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8093992
    Abstract: A system and method related to weapon mounted auxiliary devices that can be operated by wireless remote control, and a remote controller by which an operator can operate the auxiliary devices remotely by wireless control. This includes all means of remote control of the auxiliary devices to include but not be limited to radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR) energy, all other wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, and acoustic, pressure, or sound waves. Control of the auxiliary devices can range from simple activation to wireless control of all auxiliary device controls and adjustments. This can also include a single remote control device that can operate one or more weapon mounted auxiliary devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Insight Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Dale Allen Jancic, Paul Joseph Deyeso
  • Patent number: 8094007
    Abstract: A security system, such as in a home or other building, includes a broadcast band RF transmitter for transmitting an audio message that can be received by a user on a common home or car radio, for example. The audio message may be provided in response to a command that is transmitted to the security system by a user from a wireless key fob or the like. The user command may instruct the security system to arm or disarm itself, for instance. The audio message, which can be received on a selected channel on a car's radio receiver, informs the user that the command has been executed. The audio message may include a voice message such as “system armed” or “system disarmed”, a musical passage, a beep, chirp, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Hinkson, Kenneth L. Addy, Alfred M. Lizza
  • Publication number: 20120001738
    Abstract: The invention describes a system (1) for controlling a device (D, D?), which system comprises a remote control unit (30) for transmitting a signal (35) in the form of electromagnetic radiation (EM1), and a repeater unit (10) comprising a detector (R10) for detecting electromagnetic radiation (EM1, EM2) to obtain a repeater receive signal (11) and a first signal conversion unit (12) for passively converting the repeater receive signal (11) into a repeater switch-actuating signal (13) for actuating a first switch (S10) to switch the repeater unit (10) between an inactive mode, in which the repeater unit (10) is completely disconnected from a first power supply (P10) so that no current is drawn by the repeater unit (10), and an operating mode, in which current is drawn from the first power supply (P10) by the repeater unit (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Achim Hilgers
  • Patent number: 8087586
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transponder of a radio frequency identification system. Connected to a controller is a memory storing r-pages of k-bits of data. A first page includes an ID code relating to an integrated chip forming part of the transponder. The controller is configured, after the transponder has been interrogated by a reader, automatically and on a transponder talk only basis, to transmit transponder ID data including a concatenation of pages. Each page is led by a respective m-bit header. The header includes: (a) a first part having a random number, (b) a second part having for the first page in the ID data, a total number of pages in the ID data and for any subsequent page, a page number of the page in the memory and; (c) a third part having a sequential number for the page in the ID data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: IPICO South Africia (Pty) Limited
    Inventors: Albertus Jacobus Pretorius, Hendrik Lodewyk Van Eeden, William Hendrik Hofmeyr
  • Patent number: 8082556
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader software structure and method. A functionality of a reader engine is extended, enabling it to communicate via an extended standard Application Programming Interface (API) with an application software. The extended functionality supports a Partner Service Module that resides in the reader, thus allowing at least one of its Partner Software Functions to communicate with the application software over a single connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Aiouaz, Christopher S. Delaney
  • Patent number: 8081060
    Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for instance, in communications establishment. A wireless node and/or other computer might, for example, perform one or more operations to provide for connection by external devices seeking to access the wireless node and/or other computer. The wireless node and/or other computer might, for instance, expose various communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Saarisalo, Jussi Lahdenniemi
  • Publication number: 20110304443
    Abstract: A wireless adapter enables communication between a content source and a content player for rendering of content at the content source by the content player, and a remote controller allows for control of the content delivery, and one or more features of the content source, player, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Gene Sheridan, Hooman Kashef Hamadani, Ramanathan Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 8077015
    Abstract: A method and a system for data transmission between a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is in a sleep mode. Transmission of data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device occurs while a microprocessor in the second device is in sleep mode and the wireless transceiver is in a wake mode. The first electronic device transmits data signals and the second electronic device detects the transmitted signal. A base band processor in the second electronic device optionally determines if the signal is from a known source. If the first electronic device is a known electronic device, an interrupt signal is generated to wake up the microprocessor in the second electronic device. The wakened microprocessor opens a communication port and disables the wake-up interrupt. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data receive line is directly coupled to a line that triggers an interrupt when a signal is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Kammer, Mark T. Davis
  • Patent number: 8072315
    Abstract: A universal decoding device and associated method is provided. The universal decoding device includes a counter unit for counting signal cycles and a logic unit for identifying coded data or commands according to counted signal cycles. The logic unit includes a register, an boundary logic unit, a key identification unit, a code bank, a multiplexer, and a FIFO memory. The universal decoding device is capable of operating in a full decoding mode, a raw data decoding mode, and a software decoding mode. In the full decoding mode, the FIFO stores remote control commands corresponding to the counted signal cycles through the multiplexer. In the raw data decoding mode, the FIFO stores raw data corresponding to the counted signal cycles through the multiplexer. In the software decoding mode, the FIFO stores the counted signal cycles provided by the counter unit through the multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Feng Lin
  • Publication number: 20110285514
    Abstract: The invention provides a system 100 for providing wireless control on an electronic device 30. The system 100 comprises a control station 10 and a wireless device 20. The control station 10 is configured to send a wireless exciting signal and a wireless control command. The wireless device 20 comprises an exciter module 201 and a processor module 210, wherein the exciter module 201 is configured to collect power from the wireless exciting signal and subsequently change a state of the processor module 210 from an inactive state to an active state, and the processor module 210 is configured to receive the control command and adjust functions of the electronic device 30 in accordance with the control command. The invention also provides a method and a wireless device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Lei Feng, Zhigang Chen, Daiqin Yang
  • Publication number: 20110285513
    Abstract: A radio remote controller precisely transfers user's intended control. A radio communication module transmits control data for controlling a controlled device by radio communications to provide remote control to the controlled device. The radio communication module includes a communication control section, and a communication section. The communication control section creates transmission data by adding repeat information to the control data to be transmitted to the controlled device, with the repeat information being indicative of whether to repeatedly control a function of the controlled device controlled by the control data. The communication section successively outputs the transmission data created by the communication control section via a radio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SMK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro SHIRAI, Paul MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20110285512
    Abstract: A radio communication module transfers user's control instructions to controlled devices with improved reliability. The module transmits, by radio, control data for controlling a controlled device to provide remote control to the controlled device, a communication section for outputting the control data via a radio signal, a control section, and a data buffer. Without receiving from the controlled device a response signal indicating reception of the control data, the control section causes the communication section to re-deliver the control data via a radio signal until the response is received. The data buffer buffers one or more pieces of new control data to be transmitted to the controlled device until the response is received. Upon reception of the response, the control section causes the communication section to output the one or more pieces of new control data stored in the data buffer via a radio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SMK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro SHIRAI, Paul MURPHY
  • Patent number: 8063749
    Abstract: A remote control device for communicating between a computer system and a plurality of electronic devices. The remote control device includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a RF receiver, an optical transmitter, a memory unit, and a processor in data communication with the memory unit, the RF transmitter, the RF receiver, and the optical transmitter. The processor includes a first component that instructs the optical transmitter to emit at least one signal in response to information received by the RF receiver from a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: X10 Ltd.
    Inventors: David J. Rye, Leslie A. Leech, James R. W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110273269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring and locking aircraft compartment doors (1, 2, 3, 4), characterised in that said system includes a centralised device (12) for controlling the locking/unlocking in the form of a central processing unit (12) for controlling remote bolt devices having a radio transceiver device and a plurality of remote bolt devices (6) for locking/unlocking said doors provided with a radio control device connected to the transceiver device of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS
    Inventor: Olivier Pujol
  • Patent number: 8044769
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall pre-set parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Elmo M. A. Diederiks, Martijn Santbergen, Gerard Hollemans
  • Publication number: 20110241848
    Abstract: The invention relates to automatically integrating a device in a networked system so that a user does not have to set-up or configure the new device. A basic idea of the invention is to provide an automatic copying procedure of the functionality of a device of a networked system to a new device, which is integrated in the networked system. An embodiment of the invention provides a method for copying the functionality of a device (10; 12) of a networked system to a new device (14), comprising the automatically performed steps of: detecting a new device (14) to be integrated in the networked system (S10), determining a reference device (10; 12) of the networked system (S12; S13), and copying the functionality of the reference device to the new device (S14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Van Herk