Patents Examined by Edward Merz
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Patent number: 5627529Abstract: A trainable transceiver provides an integrated trainable transmitter and control system receiver for a vehicle electrical system. The transceiver includes an input circuit and an output circuit coupled to a controller. The transceiver also includes an interface connected between the controller and the vehicle's electrical system. The input circuit which receives RF signals includes an amplitude control for adjusting the reception range of the transceiver. The transceiver also disconnects the output circuit from the antenna in a remote control training mode or a transmitter signal detection mode. The transceiver is manually controlled to enter the remote control training mode and a transmission mode for controlling a remote device. The transceiver automatically enters the transmitter signal detection mode on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1994Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul C. Duckworth, Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5623256Abstract: A system for remote control of electrical load devices, particularly electrical lighting where the commands are broadcast over a radio pager system. A radio pager receiver is located within or nearby the electrical light fixture and is normally in a standby state, receives the commands broadcast. The radio pager receiver is connected to a computer processor and electronic circuitry. The computer processor interprets the commands and instructs the electronic circuitry to perform a desired operation. These operations include but are not limited to turning an electrical light element or group of electrical light elements on or off, dimming the light element or reprogramming the electrical light element to be included in a different control group of lights. In addition, before the operation is accomplished, the computer processor checks for the appropriate security code entry.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1994Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Inventor: Paul A. Marcoux
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Patent number: 5623257Abstract: An electronic motor vehicle locking system has a receiver which is mounted in the motor vehicle, which is supplied by a battery power supply, and which is remote-controlled by a handheld transmitter supplying coded control signals. A clocked operating switch turns the power supply to the receiver on and off. The receiver may be remotely controlled with infrared light control signals or with radio control signals. A method for the clocked actuation of the operating switch includes operating the operating switch during a first waiting period with given intervals between turn-ons of the power supply; and operating the operating switch in a clocked fashion during a second waiting period after the first waiting period with intervals between the turn-ons of the power supply which are longer than the given intervals of the first waiting period, if the receiver received no control signals during the first waiting period.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Inventor: Anton Bachhuber
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Patent number: 5621395Abstract: A networking apparatus has its switching unit set a path for a data transfer from a processing apparatus on the data origination side to a processing apparatus on the data termination side. In case of a stop in the processing apparatus on the data origination side during the data transfer, the networking apparatus has its offline status detecting unit detect the stop by the presence or absence of an online status indication signal from the processing apparatus on the data origination side and generate an offline status indication signal. The networking apparatus has its controlling unit receive the offline status indication signal, and generate a simulated end-of-data signal, indicating a consummation of a data transfer, for transmission to a switching unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Fujitsu Limited, KawasakiInventors: Akihito Kiyaji, Hiroshi Komatsuda, Masayuki Katori, Kenichi Ishizaka
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Patent number: 5619190Abstract: A trainable transceiver provides an integrated trainable transmitter and control system receiver for a vehicle electrical system. The transceiver includes an input circuit and an output circuit coupled to a controller. The transceiver also includes an interface connected between the controller and the vehicle's electrical system. The input circuit which receives RF signals includes an amplitude control for adjusting the reception range of the transceiver. The transceiver also disconnects the output circuit from the antenna in a remote control training mode or a transmitter signal detection mode. The transceiver is manually controlled to enter the remote control training mode and a transmission mode for controlling a remote device. The transceiver automatically enters the transmitter signal detection mode on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul C. Duckworth, Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5612681Abstract: The clock demodulator 25 continually demodulates the clock signal of the control CPU 7 transmitted from the clock modulator 10 of the center S. The terminal control CPU 23 performs processes such as transmission and reception of data with the demodulated clock signal as a reference clock. The time required to synchronize the clocks of the CPUs 7 and 23 is eliminated. Transmission and reception of data is executed quickly as soon as right of transmission is transferred to a terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1994Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha and Xing Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Funahashi, Kazunori Ikami, Osamu Nishimura, Yuji Kiyohara, Yoshihiko Hibino, Yuichi Yasutomo
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Patent number: 5612682Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communication system operated by a service provider controls utilization of a module (602, 606) added to a portable communication device (122) including a transceiver (302) which communicates with a fixed portion (102) of the communication system. The portable communication device (122) receives (604) a request for utilization of the module. In response, the portable communication device (122) acts (612) to obtain a usage authorization for utilizing the module. The portable communication device (122) disallows (640) the utilization of the module, in response to the usage authorization being unobtainable.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. DeLuca, George W. Smoot, Douglas R. Kraul
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Patent number: 5604489Abstract: An alphanumeric input terminal is provided which allows a user to enter a sequence of characters that is compared to a stored valid entry code to determine whether access should be granted. The terminal displays a random number which the user adjusts by a rotatable knob to obtain a desired character. The character is entered by pushing the knob. The entered character is no longer displayed and the terminal displays another random character which is similarly adjusted and entered. This prevents observation of the characters being entered since only one character is displayed at any one time. By initially displaying a random character for each entry position, the adjustment made by the user to reach the selected character is different every time. This prevents one from determining the selected character by observing the direction and extent that the user rotates the knob before entering the character.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1992Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.Inventor: Richard G. Hyatt, Jr.
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Patent number: 5596315Abstract: A satellite-based, world-wide cellular messaging system transmits paging messages to pagers via multiple beams. A message unit monitors multiple beams, recording the visit information for each beam, and ultimately determines the optimum beam to monitor for messages. The message unit, which conserves battery resources by entering into a sleep mode, synchronizes quickly to its message block when it awakes.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1994Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Keith A. Olds, Gregory B. Vatt, Christopher N. Kurby
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Patent number: 5594428Abstract: A security system includes a small hand held remote unit which allows a user to communicate with an inside receiver/transceiver. The inside receiver/transceiver is battery powered and operates in a low power draw standby state until activated to a higher power draw state by receipt of an activation signal from the small hand held remote unit. Signals from the small hand held remote pass through a light transmitting medium forming part of the walls of the premise being protected. The inside receiver is positioned relative to the light transmitting medium to receive signals from the remote unit and produces a visible indication of the status of the system. This arrangement allows arming and disarming of the system from outside the area being protected.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Digital Security Controls Ltd.Inventor: John Peterson
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Patent number: 5592154Abstract: A method and apparatus prioritize communications in a two-way communication system (102, 104) serving portable subscriber units (122) in a coverage area (500). A fixed portion (102) of the two-way communication system (102, 104) requests (904) location information (824, 224, 826) from a subset of the portable subscriber units (122) in response to having a need to communicate therewith, and then receives (906) the location information (824, 224, 826) from the subset of the portable subscriber units (122). The location information (824, 224, 826) includes mobility index values (826) determined by the subset of the portable subscriber units (122) for indicating mobility of each portable subscriber unit (122). The fixed portion (102) then prioritizes (908) the communications based upon the mobility index values (826).Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Jyh-Han Lin, Zhonghe Wang
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Patent number: 5587706Abstract: A selective call radio (100) includes a receiver section (103), an address detector (210), a power off command detector (220), and a power control section (240). The receiver section (103) is for receiving and demodulating a radio signal. The address detector (210) is for comparing an address demodulated by the receiver section (103) to at least one selective call address stored in the selective call radio (100). The address detector (210) is also for generating an address detect signal when the address matches one of the at least one selective call address within predetermined parameters. The power off command detector (220) is for generating a power off signal when the address detect signal is generated and the radio signal includes a power off command. The power control section (240) is responsive to the power off signal for changing a state of the selective call radio (100) to an off state.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Branner, Andrew E. Ray, Scott M. Peters, Richard M. Huber
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Patent number: 5585787Abstract: A programmable credit card enables accessing of a selected one of a plurality of different credit accounts with the same or different credit card companies through communication with a clearing house for the credit accounts while providing important anti-fraud features. The credit card provides means for storing a basic account number and includes a keyboard for entering terminal digits which together with the basic account number define a completed account number and which identify a selected one of the plurality of accounts to be accessed, and for entering identification information for the card. The terminal digits are preserved along with the basic account number to provide the completed account number, together with the identification information, in a form which is readable by a reader device but is not discernible by the human eye, e.g., by emulating a magnetic strip.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Inventor: Robert S. Wallerstein
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Patent number: 5585789Abstract: A data communication apparatus has a RAM for storing address information concerning a plurality of destinations (e.g., data for telephone directory, name card management, or the like), and the owner data characterizing the apparatus. When optical communication is selected from a keyboard, an LCD display is provided to select either transmission or reception. When the transmission is selected, several modes are selectable including unconditional communication, wild communication, and destination designated communication. When the destination designated communication is selected, the destination list is displayed by the LCD. When the destination is designated by the "name," the completion of reception is confirmed. Plural destinations can also be designated. When the wild communication is selected, the data is transmitted to unspecified destinations and is confirmed. Thus, destinations of data communication can be easily and flexibly designated.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1993Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Isamu Haneda
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Patent number: 5583487Abstract: In a system for displaying prices in a retail store, improved system architecture and stored programs are disclosed to permit improved accuracy in confirming the physical location of display devices called labels. A response from a label to the host, or central computer, has appended to it an additional message by an appender, one of a plurality of appenders located throughout the architecture. The appender's message permits localization of the labels. A power-on status flag in a response from the labels permits the central computer to determine, through global inquiries to all the labels, whether any of the labels has had an interruption of power. A dongle or RF-linked bar-code scanner permits store personnel to send messages to the central computer to request that labels in a particular subarea of the store display alternative information such as the amount of inventory for items in that subarea.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1994Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Electronic Retailing Systems InternationalInventors: Marvin Ackerman, Vincent Berluti, Terrell Poland, Steven Waldron
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Patent number: 5581245Abstract: In a paging system control apparatus that employs a POCSAG signal consisting of a plurality of batches each consisting of a plurality of groups, it is intended to improve the efficiency of using the batches by reallocating existing call signals in storing call signals of randomly input calls in a queue buffer for the POCSAG signal. The apparatus has first and second queue buffers that alternately serve as a current-use queue buffer and a waiting queue buffer. When it is found that the current-use queue buffer has no empty area for accommodating a call signal of a new call, all of the call signals stored in the current-use queue buffer are transferred to the waiting queue buffer so as to be reallocated in sequence from the head of the waiting queue buffer and so that empty areas are minimized. The reallocation-completed waiting queue buffer is changed to a new current-use queue buffer, and the new call signal is stored therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Reiko Nozaki
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Patent number: 5581244Abstract: A mobile station, i.e., mobile phone included in a cellular telephone system processes paging messages using a dual-port RAM memory connected between a signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor (MCU). The paging message received and coded by the signal processor is transferred to the RAM memory, the identity number contained by the paging message is compared with the identity number of the microprocessor at the same time in the signal processor and only when they are congruent, the microprocessor is activated through a separate interrupt line. Because most paging messages are either empty messages or intended for other mobile stations, the microprocessor (MCU) can remain on as low a power level as possible during the paging of messages while the mobile station is in the stand-by state.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.Inventors: Matti Jokimies, Ilkka Heikkila
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Patent number: 5578999Abstract: A remote control device including a receiver for receiving a control signal which remotely controls an external device, a RAM for storing the received control signal in correspondence to a respective one of keys, a transmitter for reading a control signal corresponding to an operated key from the RAM and transmitting the read control signal, and a display for displaying the stored data in the RAM when the control signal is received/transmitted. In a first aspect, when an external control signal is received and stored for any key, a key for which no control signal is stored is detected from the RAM and displayed on the display. When a control signal is transmitted, a key for which a control signal is stored in the RAM is detected and displayed on the display. In a second aspect, when an external control signal is received, a detector detects the contents of the received control signal, which are then displayed on the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouichi Matsuzawa, Hiroshi Morohoshi
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Patent number: 5574440Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching between two input sources to a television receiver and/or video recording device. Switching may be carried out with a conventional remote control otherwise dedicated to the video recorder or television receiver by holding down a control button thereof for at least a predetermined interval of time, for example two seconds. Five RF diode switches along with solid state logic components are employed to respond to the remotely developed switching signals for carrying out TV receiver and VCR source selections by the viewer. The pre-existing television or VCR operational status is not affected by the remote controllers where an ongoing channel selection simply is reinforced or a function of the remote controller is elected which has no undesired effect upon that ongoing operational status.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventor: Fred R. Kurtz
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Patent number: 5574439Abstract: A paging receiver having a conversion table for storing plural canned messages. In the receiver, when a space data is included in one of the first predetermined figures of a received signal, data preceding the space data is determined as a conversion code. The conversion code is converted to a corresponding canned message in the conversion table. Information including the canned message and a general message following the space data of the received signal is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Mafumi Miyashita