Patents Examined by Mark Rushing
  • 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: 8134452
    Abstract: Methods and systems of receiving data payload of RFID tags. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising selecting (by each of a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags) a time window within which to transmit (the selecting to create respective time windows), sending a start signal from a RFID reader to the plurality of RFID tags (the start signal indicative of the start of a first time window), and transmitting a signal by each of the plurality of RFID tags in the respective time windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: John R Tuttle
  • Patent number: 8130079
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for controlling an electronic device. A query is received at a remote control interface. A response to the query is determined. A random response interval of time is determined according/to a collision avoidance mechanism. When the random response interval of time expires, then the response to the query is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Arnold Chester McQuaide, Jr., Maria Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 8120464
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided, having a transmitting circuit that generates a transmitted signal to operate an RFID tag, a receiving circuit that receives a received signal including a tag signal from the RFID tag and a transmission carrier leakage signal leaking from the transmitting circuit, and a leakage removing circuit that senses a phase and amplitude of the transmission carrier leakage signal inputted to the receiving circuit, converts the transmitted signal from the transmitting circuit into a signal having a phase opposite to that of the transmission carrier leakage signal and an amplitude equal to that of the transmission carrier leakage signal, and synthesizes the converted signal and the received signal inputted to the receiving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-mun Bang, Yun-seong Eo, Ick-jin Kwon, Heung-bae Lee
  • Patent number: 8120493
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and device in which non-RF (radio frequency) data signals are transmitted to a non-RF data port connected to an antenna of a device. The non-RF data signals from the non-RF data port are coupled to a data bus using a low frequency coupler of the device. RF signals are blocked from the data bus using the low frequency coupler of the device. In another aspect, RF signals are transmitted to the antenna of the device and are coupled to an RF port using a high frequency coupler of the device. Non-RF data signals are blocked from the RF port using the high frequency coupler. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Jeremy Burr
  • Patent number: 8120465
    Abstract: An improved RFID Tag, Interrogator, and system wherein at least one tag modulates a radio frequency signal by modulated backscatter operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Vitaly Drucker
  • Patent number: 8102241
    Abstract: When a demodulated signal of a radio signal in Ch1 transmitted from a TPMS transmitter is acquired, a control IC controls the frequency of a signal inputted from a PLL circuit to a mixer into a frequency for converting a TPMS radio signal into an intermediate frequency signal of a specific frequency. When the demodulated signal of the radio signal transmitted from a portable unit through two frequency channels is acquired, the control IC determines a channel whose state of communication is favorable from between Ch2 and Ch3, and controls the signal frequency for conversion into a frequency for converting a keyless radio signal in the determined channel into an intermediate frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Okada, Hironori Katoh, Hiromichi Naitoh, Munenori Matsumoto, Masahiro Sugiura, Mitsugi Ootsuka, Akihiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8102273
    Abstract: A method for guiding a user to connect a peripheral component to a unit of electronic equipment includes the user tapping upon one of a plurality of connector interfaces comprising the unit of electronic equipment. In response to the tapping, the one tapped connector interface is identified and the user is notified of the identity of the one tapped connector interface. The identifying includes detecting the tapping at two or more sensors and processing signals generated by the sensors to detect the one tapped connector interface. The notifying includes articulating an identity of the one tapped connector interface using a voice synthesizer and loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Amano, Kimitake Hobo, Makoto Kobayashi, Ai Okada
  • Patent number: 8094001
    Abstract: A vehicle lane departure warning system and method are provided. The system includes a position sensor for sensing position of a vehicle and memory storing learned vehicle path data. The system further includes a controller for processing the position data and determining a stored learned vehicle path that the vehicle is travelling on. The controller comprises logic for comparing the sensed position data to the stored learned vehicle path and determining if the vehicle is sufficiently departing from the stored learn vehicle path. The system further includes an output for providing a warning signal indicative of the vehicle departing from the stored learned vehicle path. The stored learned vehicle path is updated as the vehicle repeatedly travels on the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Morgan D. Murphy, Douglas A. Nunan
  • Patent number: 8093986
    Abstract: A self-powered electronic lock is provided having a housing, a lock element mounted in the housing for movement relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, a code input device operating with a first set of electronics, and an electric actuator operating with a second set of electronics. The electric actuator is operatively coupled with the lock element to allow movement of the lock element from the locked position to the unlocked position. A first electric power generator is operative by a user to supply electrical power for operating the code input device and the first set of electronics. A second electric power generator is operative to supply electrical power for operating the electric actuator and the second set of electronics. The first and the second set of electronics are electrically isolated and are synchronized to generate a common number for a combination code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lock II, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael P. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8081068
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention detect and visually indicate to onlookers when a motor vehicle driver's and/or passenger's seatbelt is not engaged. An embodiment is comprised of control electronics, wiring, and an on-board Centre High Mount Stop Lamp (“CHMSL”) mounted in the rear of the vehicle as the means of communication and deterrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent Ronald Tolmei
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8072312
    Abstract: A non-contact state charging authentication device and a method thereof are disclosed. The authentication device includes: a power supply for receiving and transmitting power; a control unit for controlling a signal; a shunt and voltage divided circuit connecting to the said power supply and the said control unit for controlling the transmission of power; and an electromagnetic inductance element connecting to the said shunt current and voltage divided circuit for inducting and transmitting an electromagnetic signal which has an electromagnetic inductance frequency. While non-contact electromagnetic induction between the said authentication device and a charging device occurs, the said charging device begins to charging the said authentication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ID Enabler Corporation
    Inventor: Cyril Chiang
  • Patent number: 8068032
    Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a RFID tag that can improve versatility of the apparatus for communicating with a RFID tag, and further simplify equipment configuration and reduce costs of users by enabling information transmission/reception with a RFID circuit element in and outside the apparatus is provided. The apparatus for communicating with a RFID tag is provided with a housing constituting an outer profile of an apparatus main body and communicable regions both inside and outside the housing and has a loop antenna LC that can transmit/receive information with a RFID circuit element for a label production and a RFID circuit element for an information reading provided with an IC circuit part storing information and a loop antenna that transmits/receives information and a driving roller provided in the housing and configured to feed a tag label tape with print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Fukui, Kunihiro Yasui, Kazunari Taki
  • Patent number: 8063740
    Abstract: Interfacing is provided, to a utility of an RFID reader. The utility causes the RFID reader to instruct tags to reply using changed reply timing. The interfacing enables an agent to control the utility, for installing it, configuring it, enabling it, disabling it, or operating it. In a number of embodiments, the tag timing change is achieved by causing a custom timing command to be transmitted to a tag. In some embodiments, the changed reply timing alters the delay before a tag backscatters a reply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Diorio, Gregory T. Kavounas, Arthur Gustav Enyedy
  • Patent number: 8054171
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a troubleshooter to reuse existing indicators, such as displays, LEDs, or specialized indicators, for a purpose other than the indicator's usual purpose. In response to an initial occurrence of a problem, the troubleshooter modifies the indicator's behavior to indicate a later occurrence of a fault or a set of faults, which may be the cause of the problem. Upon the later occurrence of the problem, the indicator is monitored for simultaneous notification of occurrence of the fault. After the problem is triaged, the modified indicator is returned to its original use. The notification from the indicator can be sensory, i.e., auditory, visible, or tactile. The indicator's change in behavior can occur after the fault happens once or an administrable threshold number of times, or intermittently. Alternatively, the change in behavior may become semi-permanent if the fault continues to occur for some administrable number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lanzafame, Christopher Moran, Richard Szajdecki
  • Patent number: 8054200
    Abstract: A right of way vehicle throws out a strobe light having pulses. The strobe light is picked up by the present control apparatus, which analyzes the pulses of the strobe light via an algorithm, and then sets off an alarm or warning device if the strobe light meets the conditions of the algorithm. The control apparatus includes a sensor component, a signal conditioner component, a microcontroller component, and an alarm or warning device component. The components may be housed as a package and located in the interior of a vehicle. The components may be housed separately or in separate packages. The separately housed components or separately housed packages may be located at various locations on or in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Neva Products, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory K Nelson
  • Patent number: 8049605
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at allowing a vehicle to idle for a predetermined amount of time before shutdown. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that accepts input from the vehicle operator to initiate a countdown to vehicle shutdown. When the input is received, a countdown is initiated that is regularly updated to reflect the passage of time. During the countdown, a vehicle ignition bus is maintained in an active state and a countdown value that reflects the time remaining before shutdown is presented on a graphical display. Then, in response to expiration of the countdown, the method allows the vehicle ignition bus to transition into an inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Martin Jay Caspe-Detzer, Andrew Joseph Ressa, Phu Vi Tran, Ian David O'Connor, John William Espinosa, Paul Stephen Crowe
  • Patent number: 8049603
    Abstract: An on-vehicle display device mounted on a ceiling including an open and close mechanism, which secures the rearward visibility during the backward driving of the vehicle and also enables the user to continue to enjoy display images. The on-vehicle display device includes a control means which controls the display 1, when the display 1 is open at a best view-angle position, to move in even more widely open direction to a predetermined angle (an displacement-angle position 1b), upon detection of entering a backward driving state of the vehicle. The display 1 is controlled to return to the best view-angle position when the backward driving state of the vehicle is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Ikunami
  • Patent number: 8044770
    Abstract: A keyless entry apparatus determines whether a portable apparatus is positioned inside/outside an interface of a vehicle. When an in-vehicle control unit detects that a portable apparatus is positioned in a region which is affected by crosstalk and/or in which saturation occurs, in the vicinities of some of a plurality of transmitting antennas, based on intensity data from some of the plurality of transmitting antennas, the in-vehicle control unit determines whether intensity data from the transmitting antenna is included in a data group composed of a plurality of intensity data that are transmitted from the transmitting antennas and then received by the portable apparatus when the portable apparatus is positioned along the inside of an interface. When it is determined that the intensity data is included/not included in the data group, the in-vehicle control unit determines that the portable apparatus is positioned inside/outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakajima, Satoshi Hayasaka