Abstract: A plurality of items is tracked using a distributed network of gates, each having a gate-identification. Each item is provided with an identifier for specifying an item-identification of the item and a tracking-station-identification of a tracking station related to the item. Whenever one of the items approaches one of the gates, the item-identification of that item and the tracking-station-identification of the tracking station related to the item are obtained from the identifier of the item via that gate. The item-identification of the item and the gate-identification of the gate are then communicated to the tracking station identified by the tracking-station-identification obtained from the identifier of the item such that the item can be tracked as it moves amongst the gates.

Abstract: A key opening apparatus includes an antenna which receives a first signal of slower transmission speed and a second signal of higher transmission speed, a receiving section, a filter, a comparator, and a decoder, and another set of filter, comparator and decoder. The receiving section receives and processes the first and second signals in common, and the two decoders process the signals using one microprocessor before outputting the result to an output terminal.

Abstract: A security system, which is introduced into a vehicle or a building having one or more doors, includes a receiving circuit to receive a prescribed remote control signal, an unlocking control mechanism to make a locking mechanism or locking mechanisms to one or more doors be in the unlocked state when the prescribed remote control signal is received, a closing detecting mechanism to detect the closing of a door, and a locking control mechanism to make the unlocked locking mechanism or mechanisms be in the locked state, when the door that is opened after the door or doors are unlocked, and then the closing of the opened door is detected.

Abstract: A remote control system for operating a drive unit 2 and a peripheral unit 3 to be used together with the drive unit by remote control, has a transmitter 1 that generates data repeatedly including a first control information for a specific operation of the drive unit 2 and a second control information for controlling a specific operation of the peripheral unit 3. The drive unit 2 controls its specific operation on the basis of the first control information and the peripheral unit 3 controls its specific operation on the basis of the second control information.

Abstract: A fingerprint enrollment and verification module is connected to the electrical circuit of a vehicle to prevent operation of the vehicle by unauthorized users. The module has a sensor that creates a template of a fingerprint when a finger is placed on the module. The module has a flash memory to store enrolled templates and a verification step. After a fingerprint has been enrolled in the module, any operation of that vehicle is possible only after the user's fingerprint is verified to match the enrolled template.

Abstract: A biometric anti-theft gear shifter lock control for vehicles, equipment, and machinery, and other transmission actuation devices on land, water, and air, using a gear shifter. A biometric sensor scans in biometric information from a user to a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU finding a match for an authorized user deactivates a shift lock which may be built into an automatic shift vehicle or a solenoid or other switch added to a standard shift vehicle. It sounds an alarm for an unauthorized user. The control may be positioned on a gear shift knob with a flip-type protective cover. The biometrics device could be a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognition system or other device programmed to operate only upon recognition of a unique biometrically measurable characteristic of one or more authorized users whose biometric data is programmed into the system.

Abstract: The vehicle safety system which is for a vehicle equipped with a remote starter comprises a wireless transmitter located inside a closed space, adapted to emit a signal for disabling the remote starter. The system further comprises at least one wireless receiver located on board the vehicle, and being operatively connected to the remote starter. The wireless receiver, upon receipt of the signal, disables the remote starter, and thereby prevents remote starting of the vehicle.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of appliances in a home network, in which each appliance in the network has an associated descriptor comprising information for controlling the appliance. A control device for controlling the plurality of appliances includes a microprocessor for loading and processing descriptors associated with the appliances and a graphics generator for generating a display of markup language pages or page parts based on the descriptor information. The control device uses descriptors of a plurality of appliances to aggregate appliance control functions of the same type for a plurality of appliances in order to display aggregated functions on a single page.

Abstract: The system comprises machines with several processing stations that form a production line for books, magazines, brochures or newspapers. A control device controls the processing stations, and at least one input means operates the processing stations with the control device. The input means is freely movable, and the location or the position of the input means relative to the processing stations is detected automatically.

Abstract: A Write Broadcast system and method uses a base station to write sent data to all or some selected number (sub group) of tags in a base station field simultaneously. By unselecting the tags that have been successfully written to, and requesting a response from the remaining tags in the field (or sub group), the system determines, by receiving a response to the request, that there are tags in the field (sub group) that were unsuccessfully written to. Another Write Broadcast signal is sent to these tags. The system is useful for quickly (simultaneously) “stamping” information on the tag memory of a large number of tags in the field of the base station.

Abstract: A controller has a unit that stores therein a password specified by a user for each home electric appliance connected to a home network; a unit that, when a home-electric-appliance operation-request message is received, determines whether the message entry location is inside or outside the home; a unit that sends a password request message if it is determined as a result of the determination that the message entry location is outside the home; and a unit that, upon receiving a password in response to the request, determines if the received password matches the password of the controlled home electric appliance that is stored. The controller executes the operation of the home electric appliance connected to the home network only when the passwords match, thus preventing an unauthorized user outside the home from operating the home electric appliances at home.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless transmission of data through a communications channel between at least two local data sensors (for example automotive diagnostic data sensors or NVH sensors), which may include a primary data-processing function, and data-processing function (for example a PC) to receive data therefrom. The system provides for asymmetrical division of the communications channel on a frequency or time-division or packet-switching basis so that the corresponding asymmetrical data transmission requirement of the local data sensors are matched to the capacity of their respective sub-channels whereby a single channel is capable of transmitting all the required data. A particularly practical application is to noise vibration harshness analysis of wireless-transmitted data from three-dimensionally spaced NVH sensors enabling special pinpointing of vibration sources in automotive warranty analysis studies.

Abstract: When a command key of a controlling platform is activated, the platform performs an operation associated with the command key and also initiates the retrieval of information from an information source. The information retrieved is related to the operation being performed.

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.

Abstract: A universal remote control, which includes a display screen and a user input mechanism. The universal remote control also includes a processing unit that is configured to display information on the display screen and to accept selection data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote control additionally includes a wireless communication mechanism that is configured to provide communications between the processing unit and an appliance or computer program running on a computer system. The appliance provides information to be displayed on the display screen, and information entered through the user input mechanism is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance provides the information to be displayed on the display screen and also interprets the entries on the input mechanism, the universal remote control needs no special knowledge about the appliance.

Abstract: The interrogation device is used for identifying a target device. A transmitter is designed for transmitting a coded electromagnetic radiation. The target device has sensor means for detecting this radiation and for converting it into electrical signals, which are supplied to an evaluation unit, as well as transmitting means which, in accordance with decisions made by the evaluation unit, return messages to receiving means located inside or outside of the transmitter. The transmitter comprises a circuit with an oscillator and an antenna, which are designed to generate individual pulses, or short bursts of pulses in the giga-frequency range, which are chronologically modulated. A coded information signal is obtained from these pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing user access to a secured application. In one exemplary embodiment, a detector apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a receiving portion that is configured to accept an authentication article. The fingerprint sensor detects one or more predetermined features of the authentication article and reads at least a portion of a fingerprint of a user. The authentication article may include a precious gem such as a diamond. The detector apparatus may further comprise a feature detection sensor in operative relation with the fingerprint sensor. The feature detection sensor detects the one or more of the predetermined features. The fingerprint sensor may be detachably coupled to a portable device having an interface for operably communicating with a computer system to determine an identity of the user.

Abstract: This method of identification between an interrogation system (1) such as an arch and labels (E) placed on objects to be identified and called upon to pass through the interrogation field (2) functions by the sending of control signals from the interrogator (1) to the labels (E) so that the latter transmit their codes. The known interrogation mode in which the codes are supplied bit by bit and the labels responding simultaneously are inhibited in turn so that only one is active and identified at any one time, is preceded by an identification test during which all the labels send their code at one go all at the same time, which allows immediate identification if only one label is present. When a label has been identified, the interrogator (1) isolates it in order to exchange particular information with it.

Abstract: Multi-functional electro-acoustic apparatus has a bending wave panel loudspeaker, an input device (11) forming part of the surface of the bending wave panel (5), and means (13) for providing force feedback to the input device. An electro-acoustic transducer (15) attached to the bending wave panel excites bending waves in the panel to produce an acoustic output. The panel (5) provides several functions and may be considered to be a hyper-functional surface (HFS).