Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for insuring that a motor vehicle is being operated by an authorized operator. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit (ECU), an engine immobilizer unit, and a shared encryption key. The ECU generates a challenge by combining the output of a pseudo-random number generator and the output of a somewhat random number generator and cycling the combined number through a linear feedback shift register. The ECU sends the challenge to the immobilizer unit where it is encrypted with the shared key and sent back to the ECU as a response. The ECU uses the same key to encrypt the challenge and compares the encrypted challenge to the response. If the response matches the encrypted challenge, engine operation is enabled.

Abstract: Described herein are wireless interrogation systems and methods that rely on a complementary sensing device and interrogator. The sensing device is disposed to measure a parameter indicative of the health of a structure. A sensor reading from the sensor indicates the level of a parameter being monitored or whether one or more particular physical or chemical events have taken place. Using wireless techniques, the interrogator probes the device to determine its identity and its current sensor reading. This often includes transmission of a wireless signal through portions of the structure. When activated, the device responds with a wireless signal that identifies the device and contains information about the parameter being measured or a particular sensor state corresponding to the parameter. The identity of the device allows it to be distinguished from a number of similar devices.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a conventional electrical locking system in tandem with a system providing an encrypted code sent along a CAN (Control Area Network) link to unlock the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is a keypad module for a vehicle. The keypad module includes a housing having a front side, a back side, and side members, the front side having a flange adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a plurality of buttons operatively connected to the housing and recessed in the front side, a circuit board disposed within the housing, an intelligent control mounted to the circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of buttons, and a network transceiver electrically connected to the intelligent control, the intelligent control adapted to transmit a vehicle access message through the network transceiver. The present invention also includes a method.

Abstract: When a door sensor is touched, a vehicle-mounted unit and a portable unit performs mutual communications for authentication, and the doors are unlocked. When the door sensor is touched without intending to unlock the doors, wasteful consumption of electric energy is avoided which would otherwise result from mutual communications for authentication triggered by a request signal. When the door sensor may possibly be operated not for the purpose of unlocking the doors, e.g., when a CPU detects the doors as being already unlocked from a signal outputted from a door lock knob switch, a request signal is inhibited from being transmitted from the vehicle-mounted unit to the portable unit.

Abstract: A monitoring system, particularly suitable for monitoring conditions (e.g. pressure or temperature) of a vehicle tire comprises a passive sensor (102, 104), an antenna (106) associated with said passive sensor, and switching means (108) for controlling the connection between the passive sensor and the antenna such that, in a first state of said switching means, said antenna is prevented from transmitting a signal generated by the passive sensor, and, in a second state of said switching means, said antenna is permitted to transmit a signal generated by the passive sensor. The switching means is operated remotely by means of a control signal. The control signal may be derived from the sum or difference of RF signals (F1 and F2) applied to a filter (112) In alternative embodiments the control signal is the modulating frequency of an AM or FM modulated radio signal or a radio signal carrying a digital code.

Abstract: A keyboard with elevated keys for a notebook computer. The keys of the keyboard are elevated when the notebook computer is opened, and can be depressed when the flat display is closed. The keyboard has keys movably connected to the foundation sheet through scissors-type linking mechanisms. A plurality of guiding sheets is movably disposed on a foundation sheet and has hooks and tracks. Each of the tracks is parallel to a first direction. A sliding member is movably disposed on the foundation sheet and has protrusions extending into each of the tracks. When the sliding member moves in the first direction, the protrusions move the guiding sheets from a first position to a second position. The hooks of the guiding sheets sequentially press the scissors-type linking mechanism of each key to depress the keys of the keyboard from elevated position to depressed position.

Abstract: A system for locating an individual in a facility, the system comprising a portable wireless transponder device borne by the individual; an interrogator; and a plurality of antennas distributed in the facility, the antennas being selectively separately connected to the interrogator, the interrogator when connected to any of the antennas having a communications range covering less than the area of the entire facility, the interrogator being configured to repeatedly transmit a wireless command to the portable wireless transponder device using alternating antennas, the portable wireless transponder device being configured to transmit data identifying the portable wireless transponder device in response to a command if the portable wireless transponder device is within communications range of the antenna sending the command, the individual being locatable by determining with which antenna the interrogator was able to establish communications with the portable wireless transponder device.

Abstract: A method for switching the Num Lock mode of a digital apparatus that is externally coupled with a keypad. When the Num Lock modes of digital apparatus and keypad are different, the keypad transfers the data including a combination code that combines a Num Lock code and a pressed key code to the digital apparatus firstly after any key of the keypad being pressed, and transfers the data including a Num Lock code to the digital apparatus secondly. The main objective of the method according to the present invention is temporally switching Num Lock mode and recovering back to the original mode of the digital apparatus, therefore the input operations of the keypad and the digital apparatus are quite independent and never collision each other.

Abstract: Upon providing information from an information center (1) to the user of a navigation apparatus (2) connected via a wireless/wired communication line, the user sets a category used to specify contents that he or she wants to receive, and a service timing of the contents to the user of the navigation apparatus (2) in advance. The information center (1) provides contents, which are extracted from many unspecified contents provided from a contents service center (6) and satisfy the category, to the navigation apparatus (2). The navigation apparatus (2) provides the acquired contents to the user in accordance with the service timing.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving messages in a home appliance networking system, wherein a first home appliance connected to a network appends a unique message identification number to a header of a message and transmits the resulting message to a second home appliance connected to the network. Messages transmitted and received among a plurality of home appliances can be distinguished from one another, resulting in a reduction in message transfer errors. Moreover, as needed, a group code corresponding to a specific group of home appliances may be appended to a transmitter message for control of the specific group so that the home appliances can be conveniently and efficiently controlled at one time.

Abstract: A keyless entry device includes a plurality of antennas which receive high frequency signals, a high frequency receiver which reproduces data from the high frequency signals received by the plurality of antennas, an intermittent controller which changes over an operation of the high frequency receiver between a continuous operation and an intermittent operation in an interlocking manner with turning on or off of an ignition key of an automobile, and a data processor which outputs data as control signals, wherein when the ignition key is turned on, the keyless entry device is operated as the tire pressure monitoring device and when the ignition key is turned off, the keyless entry device is operated as the keyless entry device.

Abstract: A method and an assembly 10 for identifying the existence and the size of a gap. Particularly, the assembly 10, in one embodiment, includes a member 50, which forcibly engages a staring gauge 16 as two members or portions abuttingly engage. The force is representative of the amount of space between the two members or portions and this information is wirelessly transmitted to a receiver and display assembly 40.

Abstract: In a transmitting and receiving method, a request signal is transmitted between a first and an additional transmitting and receiving device by means of a bi-directional first communications path. According to the request signal, a second communications path is established for a predetermined time interval and the receiving power in the additional transmitting and receiving device is measured by means of a measuring device.

Abstract: A door lock handle. The door lock handle having a fingerprint recognition module comprises a handle body having an installing groove with a designated size so as to installing the fingerprint recognition module, a handle cover having an exposing groove corresponding to the installing groove so as to expose a fingerprint recognition plate of the fingerprint recognition module installed on the handle body, a switch hole formed by perforating a part of the handle body, and a protruded conductor installed on the switch hole, the conductor serving to sense the grip of the door lock handle of the user. Herein, the conductor is electrically connected to a touch switch circuit mounted on a door lock controlling unit, and the touch switch circuit senses the grip of the door lock handle by the user and provides the sensed signal to the door lock controlling unit.

Abstract: A system and method for interrogating a passive acoustic transponder, producing a transponder signal having characteristic set of signal perturbations in response to an interrogation signal, comprising a signal generator, producing an interrogation signal having a plurality of differing frequencies; a receiver, for receiving the transponder signal; a mixer, for mixing the transponder signal with a signal corresponding to the interrogation signal, to produce a mixed output; an integrator, integrating the mixed output to define an integrated phase-amplitude response of the received transponder signal; and an analyzer, receiving a plurality of integrated phase-amplitude responses corresponding to the plurality of differing frequencies, for determining the characteristic set of signal perturbations of the passive acoustic transponder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic lock for a locking system, in particular an electronic ignition lock for a motor vehicle. The lock has a holder into which an associated electronic key can be introduced. The key, which is in the holder, exchanges at least one coded operating signal with the lock. After positively evaluating the operating signal, the holder can be moved into at least one actuating position. The lock has a blocking element which adjusts on introduction of the key into the holder and/or removal of the key from the holder. Movement of the holder is possible when the key is correctly in the holder. Furthermore, the lock has a switching element on which the adjusting movement of the blocking element exerts a switching action via a separate transmitter which can be brought into operative connection both with the blocking element and with the switching element.

Abstract: A method of reading a plurality of transponders 14.1 to 14.n forming part of an electronic radio frequency identification system 10 comprises the steps of prompting the transponders at 38 to transmit preambles 30 only of respective response digital sequences to a reader 12. The reader then locks onto the preamble 30 transmitted by one of the transponders and immediately causes a mute signal 38 to be broadcast to mute all of the transponders not yet transmitting. The reader then transmits during a first time window 42 a first command 40 to cause the one transponder to transmit a remainder of the sequence. Having received and read the remainder, the reader transmits a second command 44 during a second time window 46 to cause the one transponder to switch to a sleep mode wherein the one transponder no longer transmits any part of the sequence, and to unmute the muted transponders.

Abstract: Wireless communications systems, radio frequency identification devices, wireless communications methods, and radio frequency identification device communications methods are described. In one aspect, a wireless communications system includes a reader configured to output a plurality of wireless signals including different modulation frequencies and to receive a plurality of second wireless signals, a plurality of communication devices configured to receive the first wireless signals and to output the second wireless signals using backscatter modulation and wherein the communication devices are individually configured to respond to one of the first wireless signals having a first modulation frequency at a first moment in time and to respond to one of the first wireless signals having a second modulation frequency different than the first modulation frequency at a second moment in time.

Abstract: A continuously variable, remote controller including a pair of first and second frequency oscillating circuits, each circuit including a separate induction coil for producing an induction field thereabout, the normal resonating frequency of the first oscillating circuit being different from the normal resonating frequency of the second oscillating circuit, the first and the second oscillating circuits producing a baseline frequency that is the difference between the two the oscillating circuits, each of the induction coils including an induction field modifying armature, when a rocker block is pivoted about a fulcrum, in a first radial direction, the first induction field modifier engagement surface will engage the first induction field modifying armature and move it across the induction field generated by the first induction coil, to alter the oscillating frequency of the first frequency oscillating circuit, a subtractor adapted to receive the frequencies outputted from the first and the second frequency osc