Patents Assigned to Actron
  • Patent number: 6701233
    Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II, for use with vehicle computer networks. The improved scan tool determines the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. The proper protocol is determined by requesting information from the vehicle computer network using a plurality of protocols and selecting the protocol that returns the most pieces of information. In addition, the improved scan tool determines a communications drop-out with one or more modules and automatically recovers from the communications drop-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Hamid Namaky, Robert Charles Sheppard, Michael F. Gessner, Thomas J. Bertosa, Robert A. Roberts, Donald J. Rodemann
  • Patent number: 6570385
    Abstract: An improved hand held starting/charging system tester. According to one aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes a connector to which various test cables can be removably connected to the tester. Detection circuitry within the tester determines which of several types of test cable is connected to the tester before testing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes an improved user interface that permits a user to review test data from previously performed tests and further permits a user to either skip a previously performed test (thereby retaining the previously collected data for that test) or re-do the test (thereby collecting new data for that test). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester that performs a more complete set of tests of the starting/charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert A. Roberts, Matthew H. Koran, Hamid Namaky
  • Patent number: 6455929
    Abstract: An embedded type package of power semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor device and a cup. One side of the semiconductor device is connected to a leader and another side of the semiconductor device is connected to the cup. The cup has guiding bevel and annulus groove on bottom side thereof. The cup further has an embedding part on outer side thereof and having two slantingly planes. The cup further comprises a heatsink connected to the semiconductor device; and a cone-shaped inner wall bordered to the heatsink and having a mold lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Actron Technology Corporation
    Inventor: C. G. Sheen
  • Patent number: 6433551
    Abstract: A timing light for measuring timing of spark ignition has separate displays of engine RPM and timing advance. Another aspect of the invention provides a flashlight function which triggers the flash tube of the timing light to produce a constant bright light source for locating timing marks within an engine compartment. The flashlight function can be incorporated into a dual display digital timing light, or other timing light designs. A dedicated control on the timing light functions to place the flash tube in a continuous flashlight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alexander Shaland, Matt Koran
  • Patent number: 6388448
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester is disclosed with normal test and cold test modes comprising: a first circuit for applying an AC current load to a battery under test to induce an AC signal across the terminals of the battery; a second circuit for measuring the induced AC signal and converting it to a first voltage potential signal which is a measure of the battery's internal resistance; a circuit for adjusting the first voltage potential signal to a second voltage potential signal; third circuit for generating a threshold voltage potential signal at a first value when the battery tester is in a normal test mode and at a second value when the battery tester is in a cold test mode; and a comparison circuit for comparing said second voltage potential signal to said threshold voltage potential signal to determine a condition of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Robert A. Cervas
  • Patent number: 6384608
    Abstract: A method of measuring a condition of a battery is disclosed comprising the steps of: inducing an AC signal across the terminals of the battery by applying an AC current load thereto; measuring the induced AC signal and converting it to a first voltage potential signal which is a measure of the battery's internal resistance; applying the first voltage potential signal across a voltage divider network calibrated in accordance with a predetermined battery rating scale to render a multiplicity of second voltage potential signals at a corresponding multiplicity of taps along the voltage divider network, values of the second voltage potential signals being representative of the calibrated battery rating scale; and sequentially selecting the second voltage potential signals along the taps for comparison with a threshold voltage potential signal to determine a measure of the condition of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Hamid Namaky
  • Patent number: 5663738
    Abstract: The antenna device has an antenna wire loop which, accompanied by the formation of two electrically outer (1,3) and one electrically central partial loop (2), is twice twisted by in each case 180.degree.. One of the two electrically outer partial loops (3) is geometrically positioned between the electrically central partial loop (2) and the other electrically outer partial loop (1). An impedance element (11) is connected between two connecting points (9,10) located at the entrance and exit of the geometrically central partial loop. The antenna device according to the invention has a very balanced characteristic and in the case of an appropriate choice of its parameters, behaves at the resonant frequency of the tags to be detected in the same way as an antenna with approximately 2 to 21/2 partial loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs AG
    Inventor: Philipp Mueller
  • Patent number: 5585811
    Abstract: The antenna device has an antenna wire (1), a screening plate (2) and a casing receiving the antenna wire (1) and the screening plate. (2) and which is assembled from a front part (3) and a rear part (4). The two casing parts (3,4) together with the screening plate (2) form a sandwich structure on parts of their surface (sandwich surfaces (5,6,7)). The antenna wire (1) is positioned in a angle V-shaped portion (8) of the front casing part (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Actron Enwicklungs AG
    Inventor: Ernst Jetzer
  • Patent number: 5394093
    Abstract: A multi-test, hand-held instrument and method for testing manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and mass air flow (MAF) sensors includes a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can test d.c. voltage output signals and frequency output signals from MAP/MAF sensors and can test continuity and battery strength. Electrical leads extend outwardly from the housing and are connectable to the sensor being tested. A pair of light indicators, comprising LEDs and resistors connected in parallel, are selectively illuminated to allow the test instrument to be used to test both MAP and MAF sensors, and to test these components on different makes and models of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Cervas
  • Patent number: 5371804
    Abstract: A voice transmission system for a conventional gas mask or face mask includes a body enclosing a microphone, an amplifier assembly and a speaker. The microphone is mounted within a cavity formed in the body, while the amplifier assembly and speaker are mounted within a main compartment of the body. The microphone, amplifier assembly, speaker and a set of batteries are electrically interconnected. The batteries are enclosed within one or more battery compartments in the body. A mounting assembly having a bracket with threaded, resilient segments is also connected to the body. The resilient segments of the bracket are designed to releasably couple the body to the voice emitter passage of the mask without penetration or structural modification of the mask. The voice transmission system is designed to receive a person's voice from a voice diaphragm located in the voice emitter passage of the mask, amplify the voice, and externally transmit the voice through the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alfred Bauer
  • Patent number: 5371490
    Abstract: A system for electronic safeguarding against burglary, or for monitoring, having a signal emitter and a receiver for receiving signals from a resonance label if the label is located in the zone of emitted signals. The system is adapted for use in stores, such as department stores, to detect unauthorized removal of items that carry a resonance label. The receiver evaluates the received signals to trigger an alarm signal upon detection by a receiver of a signal from a resonance label. Plural emitter-signal pairs are provided in which the respective emitter signals are wobbled at staggered frequencies within a broad frequency band. The emitter is also operative to emit and inoperative not to emit periodically only during alternating time phases and the receiver evaluates signals received by it for triggering the alarm only during the intervals between the signal emitting state of the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs AG
    Inventor: Markus Martinides
  • Patent number: 5367290
    Abstract: A resonance label (1) comprises an insulating support layer (4) having two sides (2, 3). A first conductor is on one side (3) of the insulating supporting layer (4) and forms a capacitor plate (6b) and an induction coil (5) having a number of individual turns spaced apart from each other. A second conductor is on the other side (2) of the insulating supporting layer (4) and forms another capacitor plate (6a) so as to define a resonant circuit. At least one of the first and second conductors includes two adjacent conductor areas (6a, 7d) which are spaced apart at a distance (a) from each other closer to one another than the spacing between the individual turns of the induction coil (5). The distance (a) between the adjacent conductor areas (6a, 7d) defines a desired breakdown point (8) on the respective side (2) of the insulating support layer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs AG
    Inventors: Burckart C. Kind, Philipp Muller
  • Patent number: 5359290
    Abstract: A multi-test, hand-held instrument and method for testing engine sensors and ignition modules includes a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit includes a first test circuit electrically interconnected with said battery for testing potentiometer-type, temperature-type and Hall effect type sensors and ignition modules, a second test circuit electrically interconnected with the battery for testing oxygen, reluctance and knock sensors, and a third test circuit for testing the battery in the instrument. A first switch selects between the first or second test circuits, while a second switch selects between a component testing mode and a battery testing mode. Electrical leads extend outwardly from the housing and are connectable to the engine component being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Cervas
  • Patent number: 5349339
    Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of labels used for preventing theft of goods and provided with an electric resonant circuit [(21) and] having a resonant frequency [(fr)] in the MHz range [comprises] has a transmitter [(1)] and a receiver [(2)]. The transmitter [(1)] generates a transmitting signal sequence, whose frequency is wobbled in wobble cycles over and beyond the given resonant frequency of the labels and [radiates] which is radiated by means of a transmitting antenna [(11)]. Signal generation in the transmitter [(1)] takes place digitally and with coinciding phase position with respect to each wobble cycle. In the receiver [(2)] the signals received by means of a receiving antenna [(12)] are scanned and digitized synchronously with signal generation in the transmitter [(1)]. From the digitized signal values of n wobble cycles a background is formed and subtracted from the digitized signal values of the in each case last wobble cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs Ag
    Inventor: Burckart Kind
  • Patent number: D439132
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank H. Rechberg
  • Patent number: D472483
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Disch
  • Patent number: D473151
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alexander Shaland, Joe Dale Young, William Wai-chung Sinn, Michael Steven Sedlak
  • Patent number: D473809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Disch
  • Patent number: D485503
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing
    Inventors: Hamid Namaky, Robert A. Roberts, Matthew H. Koran
  • Patent number: D385474
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank H. Rechberg