Abstract: An anti-collision method to identify and select contactless electronic modules (MDL) by a terminal is provided. A module may generate a random identification number prior to a communication, and respond to a general or complementary identification request on a time slot that varies according to its identification number. A non-selected module may generate a new random identification number when it receives a complementary identification request. Thus, the time slot of a non-selected module provided in response to a complementary identification request is not statistically the same as its time slot in response to a previous identification request, and it varies according to its identification number (ID).

Abstract: A method and an identification system used for communicating between a reader and a plurality of transponders. The reader has a transmitter for transmitting a signal and each transponder includes a receiver for receiving the reader signal and a transmitter for generating a transponder signal. When the reader recognizes a transponder signal from one of the transponders it immediately issues a mute instruction, muting all other active transponders and passing control to the said transponder, without the need for a specifically timed acknowledgement to the said controlling transponder. The reader may issue a single disable/wakeup instruction which disables the controlling transponder returning control to the reader and reactivated all muted (but not disabled) transponders.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive transmitter for transmitting measurement data and electrical energy between two components (1, 2) that move in relation to each other, having at least one primary (3, 5) and at least one secondary transmitter component (4, 6). There is one transmitter (3, 4) for transmitting measurement data and one transmitter (5, 6) for transmitting electrical energy, with the primary (3, 5) and secondary (4, 6) transmitter components being disposed in separate chambers (7, 8) that are magnetically shielded from each other to a large extent. The chambers (7, 8) are formed on the components by concentric, radial metal walls of the chamber elements (1, 2), with the concentric walls extending into each other in such a way that they form chambers (7, 8) situated radially one behind the other.

Abstract: A pager-based alert system includes a monitor center that is in telephonic or data communication with a paging station allowing the command center to send multi-digit code words where selected digits comprise an address for selecting one or more of a plurality of physical units (paging receivers) and to direct the receiver to output visible and/or audible signals indicative of a particular alert condition. By providing the physical unit with graphic icons overlaying the visual indicators, an observer can readily determine the nature of the alert condition so that appropriate remedial action can be taken.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring power usage from a watt-hour meter or power meter. The system may include a sensor, sensor terminal, and data collection unit. The sensor may be disposed external from the power meter and be consumer installable in an unobstructive position for direct viewing of power meter registers. The sensor terminal may be coupled to the sensor and include a receiver and transmitter operable to receive and transmit information indicative of motion of a rotating disk in the power meter sensed by the sensor. A data collection unit in communication with the sensor terminal may include a display for displaying various information to the consumer, such as current bill and power network notification indicators. The data collection unit may communicate with a service center that performs a power usage analysis to feedback information to the data collection unit for displaying to the consumer.

Abstract: A data carrier is configured to monitor the power of a received signal from a base station, and to vary its “Aloha” transmission based on the power of the received signal. The time period, or repetition frequency, associated with the Aloha transmission is controlled based on the received power, such that a higher received power provides a longer time period between transmissions. In this way, transmitters that are farther away from the base station are provided more frequent opportunities to have their transmissions received without collisions than transmitters that are closer to the base station.

Abstract: A system of contactless electromagnetic transmission between a terminal including a series oscillating circuit for generating an electromagnetic field and a transponder including a parallel oscillating circuit, these oscillating circuits being sized so that the coupling coefficient between them rapidly decreases when the distance separating the transponder from the terminal becomes smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A steering wheel locking apparatus having high reliability. A steering lock apparatus (1) includes a lock pin (21) engaged with a steering wheel (5), a motor (23) for moving the lock pin, and an ECU (31) for controlling the motor. A switch (61) is arranged in a first power supply line (81) for supplying the motor with current. When supplying an electrical component with current, the switch breaks the first power supply line.

Abstract: A spa system including a remote control for controlling operation thereof. The system includes a remote control module having a microprocessor and memory therefor, which is receptive to push-button inputs. The remote control has a display and an antenna for transmitting signals to the spa and for receiving signals back from the spa. A master control module resides within the spa for controlling and sensing a multiplicity of functions of the spa. A slave control module is coupled to the master control module and also has an antenna responsive to command signals received from the remote control, and for transmitting status signals back to the remote control. The slave control module is used for converting the command signals received from the remote control for the master control, and for converting status signals received from the master control for transmission back to the remote control.

Abstract: A detector receiver circuit for use as a wake-up detector for detecting an amplitude modulated carrier signal includes an antenna for receiving the modulated carrier signal; and a transistor, such as an FET, which is connected to the antenna and configured to operate as a detector of modulation of the carrier frequency. The circuit further comprises a resonator circuit which is also connected to the transistor and configured such that the transistor can simultaneously oscillate at substantially the modulation frequency; and an oscillator quenching circuit for periodically quenching oscillation of the transistor. The characteristics of the build-up of oscillation are sensed to indicate the presence of a modulated carrier signal. How quickly the magnitude of oscillation of the transistor builds up is dependent on whether the antenna is receiving a carrier signal which is modulated at the frequency of self-oscillation of the transistor, which is utilized to detect for the presence of a valid wake-up signal.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.

Abstract: A passive entry system for a vehicle of a particular model communicates with a portable fob that may be located in either an interior and an exterior of the vehicle. An internal antenna is disposed in the interior and an external antenna is disposed in the exterior. At least one amplifier drives at least one of the antennas and has a configurable gain. A controller is coupled to the amplifier for transferring at least one of internal and external software-configured gain values to the amplifier for controlling a transmission power of interrogation signals broadcast by the internal and external antennas, respectively. The software-configured gain values are obtained in an advance calibration procedure with respect to the particular model of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring usage of equipment comprises an electronic key for controlling operation of the equipment and a central storage location for a plurality of keys. Access to the keys is controlled so that only authorized personnel can obtain a key and may be directed to select a particular key. In any event, the key is associated with a particular authorized person. At the equipment, the key is inserted and data contained in the key is read and the equipment enabled under microprocessor control. Data relating to the activity of the equipment can be written to circuitry in the key for transfer back to the central storage location when the key is returned.

Abstract: An electronic key system has a portable apparatus, an operation control device and an update control device. The portable apparatus selectively transmits a first signal and a second signal. The operation control device authorizes an operation of a key based on reception of the first signal. The update control device transmits an update signal in a private region of the owner of the portable apparatus. The portable apparatus has a counter and a portable apparatus controller. When receiving the update signal, the portable apparatus controller resets the counter. When the counting value of the counter is equal to or less than a predetermined limit value, the controller selects the first signal as a signal to be transmitted. When the counting value is in excess of the limit value, the controller selects the second signal as a signal to be transmitted.

Abstract: Remote controls sold with various audio-video equipment, such as televisions, audio amplifiers, tape players and disc players, are used to control other types of devices, such as toys and home appliances. In order to accommodate different brands of remote controls that emit infra-red control signals according to different protocols, the controlled device that is not audio-video equipment includes a universal decoder that recognizes and decodes a variety of such signals. In a preferred embodiment, the same control function that is specified for one or more keys of a remote control is carried out in the controlled device. As examples, a sound source in the controlled device is muted when a mute button of any one of many different brands of remote controls is pushed, and/or the volume of the sound source is increased and decreased when volume-up and volume-down buttons, respectively, are pushed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking items automatically is described. A passive RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag is used with a material tracking system capable of real-time pinpoint location and identification of thousands of items in production and storage areas. Passive RFID tags are attached to the item to be tracked, remote sensing antennas are placed at each remote location to be monitored, interrogators with several antenna inputs are connected to the sensing antennas to multiplex the antenna signals, and a host computer communicates with the interrogators to determine item locations to an exacting measure.

Abstract: An access control system for work vehicles has a display, an operator input device and a computer configured to program individual vehicles keys to operate individual vehicles or groups of vehicles.

Abstract: A remote control device that is combined with a modified RFID circuit that allows an individual to enter information into different types of equipment. When an individual touches graphite contacts on the modified RFID circuit with his/her finger, the circuit will activate a RFID reader causing an action on another device.

Abstract: A location tracking system for tracking the location of items within a controlled area comprises a plurality of RFID tags located according to the required accuracy of the location determinations. Vehicles configured to transport items being tracked include two RFID interrogators configured to acquire RFID information from the plurality of RFID tags and to transmit the RFID tag information to a location authority. The separation the two RFID interrogators is set based on the spacing of the plurality of RFID tags such that the required accuracy results. The location authority can then simply map the RFID tag information to coordinate information stored for each of the plurality of tags to obtain the location of the vehicle and, therefore, the item being transported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (100) for providing continuous analysis and display of the variability of multiple patient parameters monitored by multiple bedside monitors (106a–106c) for each patient (102). Each monitor is connected to a patient interface and to a patient data storage unit (115) and a processor (113). Each monitored patient parameter is measured in real-time. Data artifacts are removed, and variability analysis is performed based upon a selected period of observation. Variability analysis yields variability of the patient parameters, which represents a degree to which the patient parameters fluctuate over time, to provide diagnostic information particularly useful in the detection, prevention and treatment of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).