Patents Examined by Daniel J. Wu
  • Patent number: 6614346
    Abstract: A method of generating an error signal (F) in a motor vehicle having a brake actuating means (16) that is actuatable by the vehicle's driver, through which a brake system is activated, and detection means (16a), through which actuation of the brake actuating means (16) is detected, a gas pedal (18), a gas pedal position detector (18a), wherein a time at which the gas pedal is released (T0) is determined, a vehicle deceleration (av) is determined, which represents the longitudinal deceleration of the vehicle, a braking status (BSon/off) is determined, which represents the operating status of the brake actuating means (16a), an elapsed time since gas pedal release (Telapse) is monitored, and an error signal (F) is generated as a function of the vehicle deceleration (av), the elapsed time (Telapse), and the braking status (BSon/off).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ian Faye
  • Patent number: 6614347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a series of interconnected alarm devices. The alarm device detecting an alarm condition produces a signal having a distinct rising edge which is detected at each of the remaining alarm devices. A pulsed alarm signal having a fixed number of pulses is generated at each remaining device in response to the rising edge. A reset signal from the alarm device detecting the alarm condition resets each of the remaining alarm devices after each fixed number of pulses is produced so that each of said devices has a pulsed alarm signal which begins and ends at substantially the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ranco Inc.
    Inventor: William Peter Tanguay
  • Patent number: 6614345
    Abstract: An oil pressure warning system for an outboard motor for detecting and alarming an abnormal oil pressure of an internal combustion engine, the system including a first oil pressure switch which generates an ON signal when the oil pressure is less than or equal to a first predetermined oil pressure, and a second oil pressure switch which generates an ON signal the oil pressure is less than or equal to a second predetermined oil pressure set higher than the first predetermined oil pressure. The abnormality of oil pressure is detected and alarmed based on the ON signal of the switches. The first and second predetermined oil pressures are determined based on an oil pressure characteristic of a (possible) maximum oil temperature (under which the engine has been warmed up) set relative to the engine speed, thereby ensuring to detect and alarm the abnormality of oil pressure under any engine speed and any oil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Kimata, Kazuhiro Satou, Sadafumi Shidara, Nobuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6614344
    Abstract: An optical sensor device that allows a driver to verify his or her respective eye position in a driver's compartment of a vehicle. The optical device includes a plurality of channels. The device has a first channel with an illuminated base that is positioned such that the base can be seen only when the driver is in an optimum eye position. The device has a second channel which is located above the first channel. The second channel has a base which can be seen when the driver is located above the optimum eye position. The device also includes a third channel which is located below the first channel. The third channel has a base which can be seen when the driver is located below the optimum eye position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Kolita Mendis, Hans Pehrson
  • Patent number: 6611207
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting fire with light section image to sense smoke. Infrared radiation arrays (1) and infrared cameras (2) are provided in a monitored area. The images of the infrared light spots transmitted by the infrared radiation arrays (1) are converted into video signals by the infrared cameras (2), and transferred to a video switcher (3). The video switcher sends the video signals received from the infrared cameras to a computer (4) one by one. The computer processes the signals. If fire is sensed, the computer controls the alarm unit (5) to alarm by a linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: University of Science and Technology of China
    Inventors: Hongyong Yuan, Weicheng Fan, Guofeng Su, Binghai Liu, Shenyou Liu, Qingan Wang
  • Patent number: 6611205
    Abstract: An emergency control system for opening or closing a gate resides within a controller for regulating operation of the opening/closing mechanism of the gate. A safety station is in communication with the controller and includes means to signal the emergency control circuit to open or close the gate by using either of two pushbutton switches. Sensing means which detect an unsafe condition in the area of the gate such as human entrapment is connected to the controller and initiates an alarm mode operation of the controller when an unsafe condition is detected and turns on a sound alarm. Pushing either of the safety button switches turns off the sound alarm and moves the gate. Movement of the gate is stopped if the pressed button is released while the gate is in motion which otherwise continues to its limit. The emergency control circuit is responsive to input signals from the safety station only when the controller is in the alarm mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Allstar Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Guthrie, Charles P. Coggins
  • Patent number: 6608558
    Abstract: An oil pressure damper device for an architectural structure and a monitor and control system of the damper device without requiring an exclusive network for connecting between the damper devices and the monitor and control system, and is able to monitor operations without regard to the distance between the damper devices and the monitor system. The oil pressure damper device includes a detection unit for detecting conditions of the damper device, a communication unit for transmitting information detected by the detection unit through a public communication network and/or a local area network, and a monitor for receiving the information from the communication unit and monitoring the conditions of the damper devices of the architectural structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Kizai, Inc.
    Inventors: Shii Sen, Yuji Kotake, Toshikazu Yamada, Haruhiko Kurino
  • Patent number: 6608567
    Abstract: A fixed station and an on-board apparatus are constructed to carry out a short range communication. The on-board apparatus specifies an application from a command included in reception data received from the fixed station and starts a corresponding processing, when an acquired command is a menu selection command. A menu including commodities and charges are displayed. When a selected item is determined, the determined content is displayed. When an IC card unit receives an IC card for settling the charge, the charge is settled by rewriting the IC card by data exchange via wireless communication. A short range wireless unit is used to ensure individuality of the communication. This short range communication may also be used at a vehicle repair shop, at a curved corner on a travel path or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6608555
    Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a detector circuit cluster, an alarm circuit cluster and a host device, all connected to a common power supply line. The detector circuit cluster includes a detector circuit for detecting a current state of a respective component of the vehicle. The detector circuit can receive a status request signal and transmit a status response signal corresponding to the detected state of the respective component. The alarm circuit cluster is enabled upon receipt of an alarm enable signal for generating an alarm output. The host device can transmit the status request signal for the detector circuit, receive the status response signal from the detector circuit, and selectively transmit the alarm enable signal in accordance with the status response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Wintecronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Apin Chang
  • Patent number: 6606030
    Abstract: A pet training device designed to alert a pet owner that his/her pet would like to enter or exit the home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony Vena
  • Patent number: 6606035
    Abstract: A system and method are configured to provide a cost-effective runway monitoring tool that may be used by airports to aid in accident avoidance and investigation by generating and analyzing image data corresponding to runway areas and surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Safe Landing Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Viraf Kapadia, Hilary Vieira
  • Patent number: 6606027
    Abstract: A vehicle safety sensor allows a vehicle operator such as a truck driver to detect the presence of adjacent objects in order to avoid collision with same. In one embodiment, three detection ranges providing feedback with various lights and sounds can be used with separate sensors, with some sensors automatically made “live” upon reversing or turning of the vehicle, and some sensors being manually activated, such as when a overpass is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Reeves, Ronda K. Reeves
  • Patent number: 6606033
    Abstract: An information system is provided for transmitting data into a local area surrounding the transmitter. The transmitter may be used to provide information to pedestrians, or to passing road traffic. Data is stored in a local memory 64 associated with the transmitter such that data stored in the memory can be repeatedly and frequently transmitted to users 70 having suitable reception apparatus 18 in the vicinity of the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Last Mile Communications/Tivis Limited
    Inventors: Timothy R. Crocker, John D Brandwood, Frank M Bishop
  • Patent number: 6603393
    Abstract: The invention provides a display device for vehicles capable of quickly and reliably displaying high-priority and high-emergency information, while maintaining sufficient display space for other information. The vehicles may be of the type including a trunk provided with a cover. The display device has a display section in which display patterns are used. The display device includes an open position detecting device which detects that the cover of the trunk is open. A warning design pattern producing device generates a warning design pattern which visually expresses a warning when the cover is open. A warning display priority device displays the warning design pattern, prior to other information, on the display section when the cover is detected to be open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Sumada, Yoshifumi Mochizuki, Koji Kano, Koji Suzuki, Koichi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 6603395
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of projecting a no turn warning to an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian. The no turn warning indicates the motor vehicle is proceeding in a straight pathway through an intersection rather than turning either to the left or to the right. At least one visible light is mounted to the frontal exterior of the motor vehicle for projecting the no turn warning. When more than one visible light is mounted to the frontal exterior of the motor vehicle, the no turn signal can flash serial, sequentially or concurrently, in accordance with the controller's preprogrammed paradigm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: John S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6603403
    Abstract: The present invention can provide a monitoring method and system for signaling a predetermined status in an article (20) having a monitored portion (22). The monitoring system includes an interrogator (30) which is located in an operative proximity to the article, and is configured to provide input energy with a predetermined input frequency. A status signaling device (24) is located at the monitored portion (22) of the article. The status signaling device includes a sensor (26) which can indicate a change of state that occurs when the monitored portion (22) of the article (20) changes from a first condition to a different, second condition. A passive transponder (28) is in an operative communication with the sensor (26). In a particular aspect of the invention, the transponder can be an electronic transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Curtis Jeutter, Thomas Walter Odorzynski
  • Patent number: 6600407
    Abstract: A record measurement system includes a record collecting apparatus in which an antenna array generates a wireless power signal at a predetermined measurement point, receives an identification (ID) signal output from an antenna tag attached to a person to be measured and driven by the wireless power signal at the measurement point, and determines and outputs the received ID and a passing time record at the measurement point; a database where the ID of each antenna tag, personal data of the person to be measured having the ID, and a passing time record at the measurement point, which are determined and transmitted by the record collecting apparatus, are stored; and a management server for storing the personal data and record data determined and transmitted by the record collecting apparatus in the database or reading out and transmitting the personal data and the passing time record stored in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Speedchip Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-ho Paek
  • Patent number: 6600425
    Abstract: A apparatus for recording information on power surges in an electrical or electronic system is disclosed. The apparatus has a gas discharge tube connected between an input line of the electrical or electronic circuit protected and ground. The gas discharge tube is set to activate at a predetermined voltage. The gas discharge tube has adjacent to it a light sensor that reacts to discharges in the tube and the sensor in conjunction with enabling circuitry generates a signal representative of discharge of the gas discharge tube. The signal produced provides information on the time, magnitude and duration of discharges in the gas discharge tube which are in turn representative of the power surge experienced by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Elite Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Parsadayan
  • Patent number: 6600415
    Abstract: The invention relates to emergency-deceleration condition transducers, including an insulation house made by insulation material, which defines a closed arc hollow groove. Said arc hollow groove is filled with some mercury. Said mercury in the arc groove will be moved for front and behind along the arc surface when the traveling speed is changed during the motor vehicle travailing, so that the electrodes spaced will be turned on/turned off to produce corresponding condition signal. The invention relates still to emergency brake lamps using the emergency-deceleration condition transducers, the turning on/off of the lamps will be carried out automatically without effects by driver mistaking operating, so the accident of vehicle striking from behind can be effectively avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jiekui Li
  • Patent number: 6600413
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automobile efficiency meter which is capable of defining an optimistic efficiency zone by analyzing a speed-frequency (S-hz) variable and an engine revolution-frequency (R-hz) variable The driver is then informed about the vehicle condition by a pointer type or a digital type metering instrument, an indicator lighting unit, or a sounder thereby enabling him/her to keep the automobile in the best efficient condition so as to save fuel consumption and prolong the vehicle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jui-Yang Lo