Radio Patents (Class 340/13.25)
  • Patent number: 8432265
    Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Endotronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry D. Rowland, Roger Dwight Watkins, Balamurugan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 8421590
    Abstract: A remote control method for remotely controlling the operation of equipment furnished in a vehicle in response to a remote control request generated by a remote controller is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) acquiring vehicle status information from the vehicle; (b) determining whether to operate particular vehicle equipment designated by the remote control request based on the vehicle status information; and (c) regulating the remote control request based on the determination result representing acceptability of remote-control operation of the requested vehicle equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Taki, Atsushi Watanabe, Mayumi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8416072
    Abstract: A real-time method and system for locating a mobile object or person in a tracking environment while conserving electrical energy in a battery-operated tracking tag associated with the object or person are provided. The method includes modulating a first carrier signal with a first packet including a first set of identification data having a first length to obtain a first modulated signal. The first set of data identifies the tag associated with the object or person. The method also includes transmitting the first modulated signal containing the first packet. Transmission of the first modulated signal consumes a first amount of electrical energy. The first modulated signal has a first precision and a first range within the environment. The method further includes modulating a second carrier signal with a second packet including a second set of identification data reduced in length from and based on the first set of identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Versus Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry J. Tenarvitz
  • Patent number: 8400289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tire pressure monitoring system for motor vehicles, including a central unit (2, 7) with at least one trigger module (4), which is integrated into the central unit or connects through control lines (3) to the central unit, and with at least one tire module (6) arranged in a vehicle wheel (5), with the tire module being in communication with the central unit and the trigger module by means of wireless transmission technology, and with the tire pressure monitoring system including fewer trigger modules than tire modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co, OHG
    Inventors: Andreas Heise, Jens Bachon, Stefan Kammann, Ralf Hartmann, Wolfgang Erler, Markus Neumann, Marco Bös, Peter Säger
  • Patent number: 8336042
    Abstract: A system for managing data originating from and destined for a motor vehicle, including: a first data communication unit permanently disposed on-board the vehicle; a second data communication unit disposed at a distance from the vehicle; and at least two devices for transmitting, receiving and storing data originating from and destined for the vehicle, the device communicating data with the first and second communication units, interfacing with a user of the vehicle and including a data storage. The second communication unit can be a computer terminal connected to a computer network, such as the Internet and/or an intranet, providing access to an interactive computer application, such as to transmit data originating from the vehicle and to receive the data destined for the data transmission, reception and storage devices and the vehicle. The storage devices can synchronize non-custom data that have become obsolete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Monique Touati, Aurelien Ferrand
  • Patent number: 8258930
    Abstract: A remote control method and medium, a control device and a controlled device of a remote control system. The control device of the remote control system includes an identification information storage unit for storing identification information of the control device and attribute information on a single control function of one or more controlled devices controlled by the control device, a signal generation unit for generating a signal including the identification information and the attribute information, a switch unit for receiving a user's input and activating the signal generation unit, a modulation unit for modulating the generated signal into an omni-directional signal, a transmission unit for broadcasting the modulated signal to the one or more controlled devices, and an attachment unit, positioned on a back face of the control device, for attaching the control device thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-suh Park, Yeun-bae Kim, Min-kyu Park, Moon-sik Jeong
  • Patent number: 8248214
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a variable light source where a variation in the light source can be triggered by utilizing a product identifier, such as for example RFIDs associated with the product being displayed to tell the controller to control the variable display case lighting to vary its color/intensity to change the lighting to best showcase the product; or utilizing UPC codes, scanned using a handheld device to accomplish the same objective; or utilizing motion/infrared/ultrasonic sensors particularly when lighting is to be turned off to conserve on power consumption. For example, red meat and poultry each may require their respective different lighting to be best displayed; thus red meat products may have a different RFID than poultry items; and gold jewelry items may have a different RFID than sterling silver jewelry items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventor: Don A. Moseley
  • Patent number: 8242913
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses an RFID tag communication apparatus comprising: a housing including a bottom surface; an antenna provided at a distance h from the bottom surface; and a radio frequency circuit including a carrier wave transmitting device that generates a carrier wave of a frequency fc; wherein the correlation as fo<fc<fm is satisfied under the conditions of a resonance frequency fm of the antenna when the bottom surface is fixed in contact with a metal surface, a resonance frequency fo of the antenna when the bottom surface is fixed in contact with a non-metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michihiro Takeda, Mitsuru Nakamura, Tomoyasu Fukui
  • Patent number: 8238828
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for storing, securing, identifying, authenticating and retrieving multimedia messages using low-cost barcode or RFID tags are disclosed. Additionally, a set of software features facilitate the easy and intuitive storage and retrieval of multimedia information using a mobile telephone acting on the media tags. Such tags can be attached or affixed to physical, real-world objects thus allowing multimedia messages associated with the tags to be retrieved with the real-world objects in a time-shifted and space-shifted manner from when and where they were recorded. The present invention uses low-cost (metal, paper or plastic) tags—encoded using barcodes or RFID—as virtual message storage units and commercially-available terminals equipped with appropriate software and sensors, such as mobile telephones, as recording and reading devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Ven Chava
  • Publication number: 20120169484
    Abstract: A model aircraft control and receiving device in a housing, comprising an electronic, gyroscopic multi-axis programmable flight attitude controller, having control inputs for a plurality of control channels and inputs for gyroscope signals, wherein the flight attitude controller provides at least one input for a receiver module disposed inside or outside of the housing of the flight attitude controller. The device may be used in a method for controlling and stabilizing a model helicopter, wherein the control comprises a self-learning function and/or the control comprises a coupling of the tail controller to the swashplate controller and/or the control comprises a stopping support function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Mikado Model Helicopters GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Röhr
  • Publication number: 20120169485
    Abstract: An industrial and electrically driven tool includes two mutually independent radio modules so that a redundant communication link to a controller can be set up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Eckert
  • Publication number: 20120146813
    Abstract: An emergency beacon includes a housing with a first open space and a second open space. A battery and electronics circuitry are received in the housing. The electronics circuitry includes an r.f. illumination control circuit and a power supply circuit. The r.f. illumination control circuit is configured to receive an r.f. activation signal. A solar panel is electrically coupled to the power supply circuit for charging the battery. A first closure member is received to close the first open space of the housing. A second closure member is received to close the second open space of the housing. A beacon light source is mounted to the second closure member. The r.f. illumination control circuit is configured to activate the beacon light source to emit light upon receiving the r.f. activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: James C. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 8169319
    Abstract: A method of providing security and maintenance of a group of devices using a group of tags. Each of the tags is attached to a device and includes a radio frequency transceiver for intercommunicating using ultra-wide band signals. Using the intercommunication, distance between two of the tags is determined and an alarm is triggered when the distance is greater than a previously defined threshold distance. The distance is preferably determined by measuring a round trip delay time between the transmission of a transmitted signal to the other tag and reception of a response signal in response to the transmitted signal from the other tag. The distance is preferably determined by measuring a time delay between transmitting a unicast ultra-wide band message and receiving a unicast response message. The intercommunication preferably uses ultra-wide band signals which relay information regarding completeness of the group between the tags of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Zebra Enterprise Solutions Corp.
    Inventors: Gideon Kaplan, Avraham Menkes, Dan Raphaeli
  • Patent number: 8167198
    Abstract: An identification token assembly includes a card-shaped plastic body having a generally rectangular card-shaped plastic body; a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) embedded in the subcard body; and an antenna embedded in the subcard body and coupled to the RFID IC to transmit a signal generated by the RFID IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: MasterCard International, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Phillips, Barry Roy Mosteller
  • Patent number: 8154389
    Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Endotronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry D. Rowland, Roger Dwight Watkins, Balamurugan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20120075084
    Abstract: A short-distance wireless signal extension method for extending the transmission range of a short-distance wireless remote control is provided. In the short-distance wireless signal extension method, a short-distance wireless signal is received. An n-times sampling is performed on the short-distance wireless signal to generate a sampled short-distance wireless signal, wherein n is a real number greater than or equal to 2. The sampled short-distance wireless signal is transmitted through a wireless transmission technique or a wired transmission technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GEMTEK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Chen Wang, Jen-Tsung Wang
  • Patent number: 8138883
    Abstract: A radio frequency transmitter is configured to send radio frequency messages to activate a remote system. Each message includes an encrypted counter value and a transmitter identifier. The transmitter is configured to send at least two of the messages having sequential encrypted counter values in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Carl L. Shearer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8111144
    Abstract: A mobile device, through the use of an NFC subsystem, may determine holster-proximity information, i.e., whether the mobile device is near to (including in) a holster or out of, and away from, the holster. The holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to enter into a user-inactive mode. Such entry into a user-inactive mode may involve disabling user interface components, such as input devices and output devices. In particular, the holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to disable the keyboard, that is, prevent presses on keys in the keyboard from being recorded. Such disabling may be considered of particular importance when the mobile device is going into and coming out of the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kirkup, Sean Wilson, Christopher Pattenden, Vahid Moosavi
  • Publication number: 20120007725
    Abstract: A method for selecting at least one device to be controlled by a radio frequency (RF) controller device is described. The method comprising arranging a plurality of controllable devices into a plurality of groups; determining at least one link quality value for at least one device associated with the plurality of groups; calculating a proximity factor for the plurality of groups of controllable devices based at least partly on the determined at least one link quality value; comparing proximity factors for the plurality of groups of and selecting the group of controllable devices comprising a favourable proximity factor to be controlled by the RF controller device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicusor Penisoara, Razvan-Mihai Lucaci, Adrian-Ioan Nistor
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110298597
    Abstract: A wireless sensor system includes a wireless sensor, a wireless device, and a magnetic field generator connected to the wireless device. The wireless sensor includes an ambience sensor that detects status of an ambient environment to output ambient data depending on the detected status of the ambient environment, a magnetic sensor that senses a magnetic field, a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter that sends the ambient data to the wireless device using a radio wave, and a first controller that is connected to the ambience sensor, the magnetic sensor, and the RF transmitter. The wireless device includes an RF receiver that receives the radio wave sent from the RF transmitter; and a second controller that is connected to the RF receiver and that outputs a control signal for controlling the first controller. The magnetic field generator includes a coil for sending the control signal to the magnetic sensor using a magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki KAIHORI, Eiji Miyake, Michiaki Tsuneoka
  • Publication number: 20110279248
    Abstract: A remote instruction transmission/reception system has a first transmission/reception apparatus, a plurality of second transmission/reception apparatuses, and an information processing apparatus. The second transmission/reception apparatuses each make a selection (choice) and emit an electromagnetic wave. The information processing apparatus transmits an instruction for electromagnetic wave emission states of the second transmission/reception apparatuses according to the selections, to the second transmission/reception apparatuses through the first transmission/reception apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki OGAWA
  • Patent number: 8049600
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Horizon Hobby, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Beard, John Adams, Mathew Lee, Eric Meyers
  • Patent number: 8049593
    Abstract: A universal remote control apparatus and method for controlling various types of devices and equipments, the universal remote control apparatus includes a service profile generator which generates a service profile based on first device information and second device information that are recognized from at least one device, a service profile management unit which stores and manages the generated service profile, a service profile-based control unit which universally controls the at least one device based on the service profile, and a user interface unit which receives from a user a first selection on a first device object corresponding to the first device information and a second selection on a second device object corresponding to the second device information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Hyeong Kim, Sang Do Park
  • Publication number: 20110221582
    Abstract: A transmitter is configured to transmit activation signals based on transmission schemes in which one of the schemes is an appropriate scheme such that the appliance activates upon receiving an activation signal that is based on the appropriate scheme and has a code associated with the appliance. The transmitter is configured to receive a code represented by a sequence of bits and to transmit a sequence of different activation signals including different sets of first and second activation signals until user input indicating activation of the appliance is received by the transmitter. Each set of activation signals is based on a respective scheme, each first activation signal includes the sequence of bits and each second activation signal includes a bitwise reversal of the sequence of bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Chuey, Jody K. Harwood, Kenan R. Rudnick
  • Publication number: 20110199196
    Abstract: An integrated remote controller and a method of selecting a device controlled thereby are disclosed. The present invention is implemented such that it can store position data of devices to be controlled by the integrated remote controller; recognize devices around the integrated remote controller and displaying the devices; determine as to whether an angular velocity of the integrated remote controller is varied, if the recognized devices are plural; if the angular velocity is varied, sense movement direction of the integrated remote controller based on the angular velocity to search for a device to be controlled by a user; and display a control menu of the device to be controlled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Chul Shin
  • Publication number: 20110201238
    Abstract: Practical electric-powered propulsion systems, associated operator-control systems, and modification methods enable conventional surfboards (and similar small watercraft) to be converted for water-jet propulsion. Wireless controls are integrated with wearable marine accessories such as modified neoprene or fabric gloves, armbands, wristbands, hand straps, or gauntlets. Safely immersible, wet-swappable high-power battery packs facilitate extended use of electric propulsion in surf. Compact integrated electronic control units incorporate motor controllers, wireless receivers, and control logic. On-board power, propulsion, and control components are positioned and installed to avoid disrupting the shape of the watercraft body so as to minimize added hydrodynamic drag and perceived differences from a traditional unpowered version of the watercraft in appearance, balance, or performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: WAVEDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Dainuri Rott, Merrill Snell, Jos Goble, Daniel Fukuba, Cameron Tacklind
  • Publication number: 20110187513
    Abstract: A remote control method for remotely controlling the operation of equipment furnished in a vehicle in response to a remote control request generated by a remote controller is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) acquiring vehicle status information from the vehicle; (b) determining whether to operate particular vehicle equipment designated by the remote control request based on the vehicle status information; and (c) regulating the remote control request based on the determination result representing acceptability of remote-control operation of the requested vehicle equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Taki, Atsushi Watanabe, Mayumi Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20110170590
    Abstract: Method and system of power regulating, such as but not limited to attenuating signal power levels. The power regulating being suitable for use in any number of application, environments, and circuits, including but not limited to those associated with a universal garage door opener (UGDO), remote keyless entry (RKE) unit, tire pressure monitor (TPM) unit, and/or a passive entry element. The regulating may be suitable for directly broadcasting the regulated signal and/or communication the regulated signal to other circuit element for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz
  • Publication number: 20110133907
    Abstract: An electronic system is described for controlling vehicle message lighting including turn and stop indicator signal lights, which system does not require any pre-existing wiring harness in either a towing vehicle 101 or any towed vehicle 104 to be in serviceable condition. In one embodiment the system implements a reliable wireless detection method based on feedback to confirm the state of operation of any such pre-existing ‘vehicle indication signal drive line’ and includes a control apparatus that wirelessly transmits 230 instructions to at least one local receiver 150 controlling a number of message devices, including, but not limited to, vehicle indication signal lights. Another embodiment of the system bypasses any pre-existing wiring harness and permits the operator to manually over ride its detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Terry J. Stiles, Kenji Kokaji, Matthew J. Kosolofski, Randal D.P. Penman
  • Patent number: 7956792
    Abstract: A remote controller with memory capability includes a status button, a memory, a processing unit, and a transceiver device. The memory is utilized for storing a status information of an electronic product. When the status button is pressed, the processing unit generates a control signal and determines whether the status information exists in the memory. When the status button is pressed and the status information does not exist in the memory, the transceiver device outputs the control signal and receives the status information and the memory stores the status information. When the status button is pressed and the status information exists in the memory, the transceiver device outputs the control signal and the status information stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Shu-Yi Chen, Chang-Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 7952467
    Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device using RFID and then transmitted to a TV using RFID so that the TV can display components to be controlled and/or remote control device buttons and/or functions of remote control device buttons for particular components to be controlled, to train the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Thomas Patrick Dawson
  • Publication number: 20110063090
    Abstract: A method for a radio control receiver establishing a link with a radio control transmit controller is provided. Two or more identifiers are stored in a radio control receiver. Each identifier is an identifier of a radio control transmit controller. The receiver receives a first signal from a first transmit controller. The first signal includes at least an identifier of the first transmit controller. The receiver determines if the identifier of the first transmit controller is stored in the plurality of identifiers. If the identifier of the first transmit controller is stored in the plurality of identifiers, the receiver transmits a second signal to the first transmit controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Gary M. DeWitt, Brad Shirley, Chris S. Russell, Larry DeFauw