Patents Examined by Michael Horabik
  • Patent number: 6879241
    Abstract: A vehicle ready for a card key and a radio communication system for a vehicle which utilizes a card key wherein transmission and reception functions are incorporated in a card key to be loaded onto a vehicle, thereby allowing communication between vehicles. A card key loaded on a two-wheeled vehicle communicates with a first card key loaded in a first card key receiving slot of a four-wheeled vehicle. Further, a microphone, a speaker and a transmitter-receiver are provided on a helmet for a driver, and the card key communicates also with the transmitter-receiver on the helmet. Similarly, a card key loaded on a second two-wheeled vehicle communicates with a second card key loaded in second card key receiving slot of the four-wheeled vehicle and the transmitter-receiver of the helmet worn by the driver of the second two-wheeled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Sakamoto, Kenji Tamaki, Yoshiyuki Horii, Satoshi Kazama, Hidetoshi Kabayama, Dai Higashida
  • Patent number: 6879243
    Abstract: An electronically-controlled locker system that utilizes distributing processing to control access to, and assignment of, a plurality of lockers in a school, workplace, fitness center, etc. The system uses a plurality of locker control units that control access to a corresponding set of lockers based on user inputs and on user/locker authorization data that is provided from a central administrator workstation. This administrator workstation communicates with a system control unit that is in communication with every locker control unit and which allows cross-communication between locker control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignees: Penco Products, Inc., Digitech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Booth, Harry N. Popolow, Richard R. Ford, Edward E. Johnson, Jon S. Loftin, Lance C. Osborne, David W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6876292
    Abstract: An on-vehicle apparatus communicates with an electronic key by wireless communication. The one-vehicle apparatus decides to unlock a vehicular door according to an identification result between first ID of the electronic key and unlock-operation ID of the on-vehicle apparatus, and decides to start an engine of the vehicle according to an identification result between second ID of the electronic key and engine-starting ID of the on-vehicle apparatus. The on-vehicle apparatus commands the electronic key to output third ID shorter in data length than the second ID, when the first ID corresponds with the unlock-operation ID. The on-vehicle apparatus permits starting the engine when the third ID corresponds with compacted data of the engine-starting ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Onuma, Teppei Nagano
  • Patent number: 6876294
    Abstract: A transponder identification system comprising a plurality of transponders and an interrogation device arranged to identify each of the transponders by transmitting successive interrogation signals according to a systematic search strategy, wherein the search is truncated where the interrogation device receives fewer than a predetermined number of different responses from the transponders, to a transmitted interrogation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Identec Limited
    Inventor: Bernard John Regan
  • Patent number: 6873268
    Abstract: An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Varaz Shahmirian, Sam W. Bowman, IV, Timothy J. Starkweather
  • Patent number: 6873248
    Abstract: An identification system in which a trigger signal, emitted on an object side and received by a portable code generator, is provided. The trigger signal is used on the object side to phase code a reference signal. The code generator encodes a response signal using the trigger signal in a phase-coded manner and retransmits the response signal. The received response signal is compared with the generated reference signal in an object-side evaluation unit using an autocorrelation function. If the value of the autocorrelation function is larger than a threshold value, an enabling signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Albert Ott
  • Patent number: 6873247
    Abstract: A combined immobilizing and steering column control system for a vehicle includes a device, a steering wheel, and a vehicle immobilizing system. The device has a transponder for transmitting an identification signal. The steering wheel includes controls and a first inductor. The first inductor transmits a control signal for controlling a vehicle function in response to a corresponding steering wheel control being actuated. The immobilizing system has a second inductor and a controller. The second inductor is operable to sense the identification signal transmitted by the transponder and to sense a control signal transmitted by the first inductor. The controller performs a vehicle immobilizing function in response to the second inductor sensing an identification signal transmitted by the transponder. The controller enables the vehicle function corresponding to an actuated steering wheel control in response to the second inductor sensing the corresponding control signal transmitted by the first inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Scott Campbell, Tom Tang, John Nantz, Calvin Modawell
  • Patent number: 6870464
    Abstract: The disclosed inventory control system is well suited for many types of small-volume products. A plurality of electronic tags 1 are installed in a floor 3 in which data on installation locations is stored, a storage shelf 8 for storing inventory, and a movable reader 23 that reads location data from the electronic tags 1 and carries a product that moves along the aisle. Data stored in an electronic tag, from among a plurality of electronic tags 3, installed near the storage shelf 8 on which inventory is stored contains data on a product stored on the storage shelf 8. The movable reader 23 comprises a communications antenna 4 that communicates in a wireless fashion with the electronic tags, a transceiver connected to the communications antenna 4, a data processor that sends and receives data via the transceiver, and a database 7 that provides data to the data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Leading Information Technology Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Eiji Okamura
  • Patent number: 6870458
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling remotely controlled components of a plurality of vehicles in response to a short range common signal emitted by a transmitter that can operate the components only during specified time periods. A transmitter can be programmed to provide a relatively long range customer signal that can operate the components at any time. The system and method are operative on a mutually exclusive basis wherein the remotely controlled components only respond to the common signal or the customer signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Magnadyne Corporation
    Inventor: Barry L. Caren
  • Patent number: 6870460
    Abstract: A transponder 14.1 for a radio frequency (RF) identification system comprises an antenna 22.1 having an antenna impedance (ZA) having a real part (RA) connected to transponder circuitry presenting a load impedance (ZL) having a real part (RL), a ratio ( R L R A ) of the real part (RL) of the load impedance and the real part (RA) of the antenna impedance having a first value that is bigger than one when the transponder is not transmitting data. During transmission of data the ratio is switched between the first value and a second smaller value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Supersensor (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Gordon Gervase Turner, John McMurray
  • Patent number: 6868045
    Abstract: Voice control systems are used in diverse technical fields. In this case, the spoken words are detected by one or more microphones and then fed to a speech recognition system. In order to enable voice control even from a relatively great distance, the voice signal must be separated from interfering background signals. This can be effected by spatial separation using microphone arrays comprising two or more microphones. In this case, it is advantageous for the individual microphones of the microphone array to be distributed spatially over the greatest possible distance. In an individual consumer electronics appliance, however, the distances between the individual microphones are limited on account of the dimensions of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Ernst F. Schröder
  • Patent number: 6867705
    Abstract: A remote controller for a television having a function of measuring a body fat includes a physical data setting section for registering a physical data including the weight and the height of a user and an impedance measuring circuit for measuring the impedance across the body to determine the body fat of the user. For determining the body fat of a user to be examined, the body fat meter equipped television remote controller registers the physical data including the weight and the height of the user, measures the impedance across the body of the user, and transmits to a television receiver a body fat measurement signal which carries the physical data and the impedance measurement. The television receiver calculates the body fat of the user from the physical data and the impedance measurement carried on the body fat measurement signal and displays a resultant calculation of the body fat on its display provided for displaying images of the existing television broadcasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Maeda, Katsuhiro Morisada, Shinji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6867706
    Abstract: An oscillating valve driven by the pressure in a mud pulser develops a pressure variation in the mud pulse signal that is at a frequency that is different than the frequencies of the mud system. The oscillating valve is coupled to or integral with the pulse drive cylinder, whether the drive means for operation of the pulser is upstream or downstream from the orifice, or whether or not the drive means and the poppet are on the same side or opposite sides of the orifice. The oscillating valve is a bistable valve which preferably forms one wall of the drive piston of the pulser. Pressure from the drive cylinder behind the drive piston is directed in such a way as to unseat the bistable valve. When the bistable valve unseats, pressure is bled from within the drive cylinder, which also bleeds the pressure that unseated the bistable valve in the first place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Herman D. Collette
  • Patent number: 6867687
    Abstract: An electronic radio frequency identification system comprises a reader 12 and a plurality of transponders to be read by the reader. The reader comprises a recovery circuit 32 for recovering and separating an upper sideband 26.12 and a lower sideband 26.11 of a modulated response signal 26.1 from one of the transponders. The reader further comprises an evaluating circuit 38 for evaluating and selecting one of the upper sideband the lower sideband for output to a next stage, based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Supersensor (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Gordon Gervase Turner
  • Patent number: 6864780
    Abstract: A data transmission system using a human body as a signal transmission path includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter uses a pair of electrodes which are held in close proximity to the skin of the human body. The transmitter transmits data to the receiver through the signal transmission path partly extending through the human body when a user carrying the transmitter touches a touch electrode of the receiver. The electrodes are integrated into a garment worn by the user in such a manner that the electrodes are kept in a closely facing relation to the skin of the user, thereby establishing the electrical path extending through the human body. With the integration of the two electrodes into the garment, the user wearing the garment as an everyday clothes or uniform can be easy and convenient to carry the transmitter for successful transmission of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Doi, Masaru Hashimoto, Masaki Koyama, Yoshiko Suzuki, Tokuhisa Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6864781
    Abstract: A portable paging system for responsive signaling between a first person and a second person. The portable paging system includes a housing. The housing has a top side, a bottom side and peripheral wall integrally coupled to the bottom and top sides and extending therebetween such that the housing is generally hollow. A microprocessor is adapted to receive a transmitted signal and illuminate a light. The microprocessor is securely mounted in the housing. A light is securely mounted to the top side of the housing. The light is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. A receiver receiving a transmitted signal is positioned in the housing and operationally coupled to the microprocessor. A transmitting device selectively transmits a signal to the receiver over a distance of less than one mile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas O. Loomis
  • Patent number: 6864779
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data from a remote location for evaluation by an expert. A remote appliance couples a data collection device with a communications device to transmit collected data and serve as a virtual remote presence server. The remote appliance transmit collected data. The remote appliance transmits the data in accordance with subscriber information stored in a centralized device. The data can be processed or evaluated in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: E-NETPIC.COM, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Stack, Frederick G. Wade, Roger L. Smeds
  • Patent number: 6864778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system including an apparatus and a plurality of remote controls. Each remote control is equipped with a detector for detecting infrared signals from the other remote controls. The remote controls are capable of controlling the transmission of messages in dependence on a detection of signals from the other remote controls. In this way, collision between signals from different remote controls is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Rudy Musschebroeck, Marc Emiel Celine Lambrechts, Johan Agnes Emile Wouters, Geert Luk Maria Van Overbeke
  • Patent number: 6861962
    Abstract: A unit for converting a keypad operated electronic pinball game to a mechanically operated pinball machine includes a housing configured and dimensioned to enclose a keypad. The keypad has keys specific to functions of starting and stopping an electronic pinball game kicking a “ball”, flipping the ball and tilting the machine to end a turn. Mechanisms are provided adapted to engage individual of the keys, and knobs extending out of the housing and connected to the mechanisms, permit the keys to be operated by manipulation of the knobs. Preferably the housing includes a base extending beneath the keypad and a cover portion hingedly mounted to the base, but constructed to permit sliding movement of the cover with respect to the base. A wedge mounted in the cover portion is adapted to engage the spacer bar of the keypad when the housing is moved forward with respect to the base, which serves to actuate the tilt function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jerrald D. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6861958
    Abstract: To obtain a communication method which makes it possible to perform continuously communication through roadside antennas alternately arranged for a time sharing operation. Roadside antennas are arranged so that communication ranges are suitably overlapped for making the time sharing operation possible, and an on-vehicle device searches a communication frame from an adjacent next antenna during the communication with one of the roadside antennas at the overlapping point, and in the case where an FCMS can continuously be received, a switching from the communicating antenna to the adjacent antenna is instantaneously performed to make it possible to continue the communications between the roadside devices and the on-vehicle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Kasagi