Patents Examined by Matsuichiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6940390
    Abstract: A key system using an ID card which can output ID data is combined with a mechanical ignition key. The key system is provided with a transceiver for receiving data from the ID card, a flash memory for storing the ID data and a CPU. When the stored ID data in the flash memory coincides with the ID card data obtained by the transceiver an operation is performed with the ignition key, the CPU enables the operation of an engine start. Furthermore, if the present protection time has elapsed since the CPU recognizes the coincidence of the stored and ID card data, the operation by the ignition key is nullified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Toshiharu Emmei
  • Patent number: 6940392
    Abstract: An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits signpost signals (24) that are received by a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711). The tag in turn transmits radio frequency beacon signals (72) which are received by a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530) The tag can vary the duration of the beacon signals, for example in dependence on whether it is currently receiving a signpost signal. Further, the tag can dynamically vary the transmission rate and/or transmission power of the beacon signals, for example following receipt of a signpost signal. Varying these parameters can facilitate compliance with governmental regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Savi Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Chan, Nikola Cargonja
  • Patent number: 6937137
    Abstract: A method of keyless locking of a motor vehicle is described. A transponder exchanges a code with a transceiver. A control unit compares this code with the expected code and, if a match is found, activates a closing system of the vehicle in the sense of locking it. This control unit activates at least one display means. A locking command is generated on actuation of at least one operating element. In a first step, a search signal is delivered by the transceiver when the operating element is actuated in order to determine the position of the transponder on the basis of the response signal sent back by the transponder. In a second step, the display means is activated when the transponder is in the interior of the vehicle and/or on the side of the vehicle opposite the actuated operating element. In a third step, the closing system is activated in the sense of locking it if the operating element has been actuated again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Giehler, Achim Wach, Karl-Heinz Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6922133
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a proof of delivery verification for freight transportation systems. A vehicle transmits an indication of arrival at a destination. A remote station receives the indication and validates the arrival of the vehicle. If the arrival is validated, a proof of delivery verification of a delivery associated with the arrival is provided to a shipper, carrier, or other interested party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Qualcomm, Incorporated
    Inventor: Chris Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6914516
    Abstract: A remote lock control apparatus for unlocking of a locking mechanism for disabling running of a vehicle and allowing an engine of the vehicle to be started, when the power of the vehicle battery has been consumed. An ID code collation means successively executes a first step of performing collation of an ID code in response to operation of a kick starting mechanism for the first time and outputting, when the ID code exhibits coincidence, a collation coincidence signal to collation result holding means. This is followed by a second step of controlling operation of actuator driving means so that a handle lock mechanism may be placed into an unlocking state in response operation of the kick starting mechanism for the second time while the collation coincidence holding signal continues to be outputted from the collation result holding means and outputting a collation coincidence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Konno, Atsuo Ota
  • Patent number: 6900736
    Abstract: A pulse position modulated radio remote control system using distributed solid state data processing that includes a remote-control unit and a master-control unit, each unit having an associated transceiver so that information in the form of radio signals can be exchanged bidirectionally between the two units. The master-control unit controls operating functions of a pool or spa on command from the remote-control unit. The master-control unit also monitors operating conditions of the pool or spa and sends information about those conditions of the pool or spa and sends information about those conditions to the remote-control unit on command from the remote-control unit. A display on the remote-control unit allows a user to determine the status of various operating parameters of the pool or spa, such as water temperature. The remote-control unit also has a keypad that allows the user to input signals to be sent to the master-control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Allied Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Alan C. Crumb
  • Patent number: 6847287
    Abstract: A control system for an actuator used to actuate a device. A receiver in the control system receives different transmitter identifiers from multiple transmitters. A central processor coupled to the receiver uses a received transmitter identifier as the address of a memory location. If the control system is set to a write mode when the transmitter identifier is received, a valid bit is set in the addressed memory location to indicate that the transmitter identifier is valid. If the control system is set to read mode when the transmitter identifier is received, the addressed memory location is examined to determine if a valid bit has been set. If the valid bit has been set, the central processor transmits a signal for actuating the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Linear Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Stottlemyre, Paul Kahn
  • Patent number: 6828900
    Abstract: This process is adapted for at least two groups of antennas (4, 6). A modulated signal is emitted by a first group of antennas (4) whilst the antennas (6) of a second group emit a similar modulated parasitic signal but of less amplitude. An unmodulated signal of an amplitude comprised between the amplitude of the parasitic signal and the amplitude of the signal emitted by the first group of antennas (4) is superposed on the parasitic signal emitted by the antennas (6) of the second group. Application to a free hand system for access and/or starting of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive
    Inventor: Alain Brillon
  • Patent number: 6819222
    Abstract: An object circuit for use in an r.f. identification system for locating a specific object by generating identification signals of a specific frequency assigned to a given object, said object circuit including a receiving antenna, a crystal coupled to said receiving antenna, said crystal having a resonant frequency equal to the frequency assigned to the associated object, and circuitry coupled to said crystal for responding to a signal of said assigned frequency received by said object circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Magnex Corp.
    Inventors: Fong-Jei Lin, Shengbo Zhu
  • Patent number: 6778066
    Abstract: A security badge to be worn by a person seeking access to a secure system. The badge includes a data processor having a non-volatile and a volatile memory, a transceiver, and an attachment sensor. The volatile memory stores information related to the wearer's security clearance. This information is loaded after the badge is attached to the person and the person's identity is verified. This information is deleted from the volatile memory if the badge is removed from the wearer or subjected to tampering. The data processing system has sufficient computing power to allow the badge to execute encrypted communications with the secure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark T Smith
  • Patent number: 6774813
    Abstract: A universal programmable remote is programmed for being used with a specific apparatus. A sequence of test codes is sent to the apparatus until the apparatus responds. The test codes comprise tags that are sent along. The tags fall all within a same narrow frequency band. An STB that is eavesdropping on the transmission is receptive to that band. The STB identifies the last tag and enables a server to identify the complete set of codes for the apparatus based on the tag. Thereupon the set is downloaded and programmed in the remote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jan van Ee, Frederik Ekkel
  • Patent number: 6774763
    Abstract: An apparatus for activating and/or deactivating a security device, particularly an entry device for a motor vehicle, having a portable transmitter unit for wirelessly transmitting a coded information item which is received by a receiver apparatus and is compared with a prescribed coded information item, the receiver apparatus being capable of outputting an actuation signal to the security device if the two coded information items match, and wherein the codes of the transmitter unit and the receiver apparatus can be updated in terms of the currently coded information items to prevent unauthorized use of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Lässle, Dietmar Schmid
  • Patent number: 6762692
    Abstract: The system includes a remote controlled apparatus furnished with a display device or adapted to be linked to such a device; a remote control device comprising a microphone; voice recognition circuit adapted to receive the signal emanating from the microphone and to generate a signal for controlling a functional feature of the apparatus corresponding to the word or group of words picked up by the microphone. The system comprises means for displaying on the said screen a list of the words or groups of words corresponding to the functional features of the apparatus which can be accessed by voice control in a window of the screen so as to enable the user to ascertain the key words which he has to utter in order to trigger these functional features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Mingot, Jiang Shao, Eric Diehl, Nour-Eddine Tazine
  • Patent number: 6734783
    Abstract: A gate management system for controlling an operation of a gate of a vault including a biometrics information management device having a first memory, storing biometrics information of at least a first and second persons, the first person being required to be accompanied with the second person to pass through the gate and the second person being able to pass the gate alone, a gate management device having a second memory, temporarily storing biometrics information of the first and second person in the second memory, and comparing the temporarily stored information with the information stored in the first memory, a controller controlling an operation of the gate based on a result of the comparison performed by the gate management device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriyoshi Anbai
  • Patent number: 6727801
    Abstract: A lock box device having a unit with a pepper spray dispenser or a signal transmitter, or both, each of which can be selectively actuated or actuated simultaneously. The device allows selective discharge by a user of an irritant, such as a pepper spray, and selective actuation of a transmitter to emit a distress signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Gervasi, Christina Gervasi
  • Patent number: 6710701
    Abstract: A system to store a sequence of data records relating to attributes of interactions between fuel dispensers and tags. The data records at a location remote from the tag, such as a fuel dispenser, central site controller or other network. The data records may contain the identity of the dispenser, tag and any attribute of a received signal, such as frequency band or signal strength, or other attribute indicative of proximity. Every dispenser that attempts to communicate with a tag adds its own interaction data to a history of a tag's past interactions with same and other dispensers. When a dispenser or central site control system examines the contents of the interaction histories, the detected presence of other dispensers or the relative strength of the recorded interaction attributes will determine action(s) to be taken by the dispensers or central site control system to communicate with the tag at issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Russel Dean Leatherman
  • Patent number: 6633227
    Abstract: A method of allocating a remote control to a base station. The base station delivers a search signal. The remote control receives the search signal, compares it with a reference signal, and delivers a contact signal if they match. On receiving certain contact signals in response, the base station then delivers an identification signal, and after receiving it, the remote control sends back to the base station a code signal identifying it unambiguously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6617963
    Abstract: A recording device allows wireless interrogation to determine its identity and its state. The state indicates whether one or more physical or chemical events have taken place. In effect, the one or more physical or chemical events are recorded by the device. The identity of the device allows it to be distinguished from a number of similar devices. The recording device may be used in an array of devices that allows wireless probing by an interrogation unit. When probed, each device tells the interrogator who it is and what state it is in. The devices allow multiple use and the interrogator may use a logical reset to determine the state of each device. The interrogator can thus easily identify particular items in an array that have reached a particular condition. The device may record the status of each device in a database to maintain a history for each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: David G. Watters, David L. Huestis, Alfred J. Bahr, Robert J. Vidmar
  • Patent number: 6570507
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a remote-controllable electronic appliance and a remote controller. A unique call identification code is assigned to each remote controller. The remote-controllable electronic appliance may then call a remote controller based on the unique call identification code. The call identification code may continuously varied after a predetermined period of time. The call identification code may be reset based on a request by the remote controller. Power consumption by the remote controller may also be conserved based on detecting the call identification code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Kyung Lee, Jeong-Soo Choi
  • Patent number: 6515576
    Abstract: A message-sending system provides for entering an identifier uniquely associated with an intended recipient and a message for the intended recipient in a WEB page, and associating the identifier with the intended recipient's pager routing information from a database accessible to a WEB Server providing the WEB page. A successful association leads to formatting a pager message for the intended recipient, and forwarding the formatted message to a pager system serving the intended recipient. In some embodiments success or failure of the pager message is reported back to the original sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Semotus Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas B. Miller