Patents Examined by Phung T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6373381
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle security system, in which the vehicle security system comprises a control unit having a central processor or microprocessor, a receiver connected to the microprocessor for receiving signals from a remote transmitter. The control unit has an input interface and an output interface. The input interface is connected to various sensors, and the output interface is connected to the vehicle security devices. A PWM interior light delay is disposed between the door sensors and the input interface to provide a voltage pulse signal with width modulation for a vehicle interior lights such that the interior lights are extinguished gradually for a predetermined time. The user can selectively set the vehicle security system whether the vehicle is provided with the PWM interior light delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Lite-On Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Winson Wu
  • Patent number: 6369713
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for seizing control of a communications channel in a child monitor of the type comprising a child monitor transmitter and a child monitor base station. The system and method is used in conjunction with a physiological condition monitor that is capable of monitoring the status of a person's physiological conditions such as heartbeat and breathing. When the physiological condition monitor detects that an alarm condition has occurred, it causes a control transmitter to transmit an alarm signal to said child monitor base station. The signal that is transmitted by the control transmitter blocks any signal that is being transmitted to the child monitor base station by the child monitor transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: iLife Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Gregory V. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman
  • Patent number: 6348864
    Abstract: An organizer management system for facilitating the location of an item stored in one of several drawers in one or more drawer organizer cabinets. Each drawer has an LED mounted on a front panel and a circuit having a crystal with a specific resonant frequency. The resonant frequency of the crystal in a given drawer is different from all other crystals in the system. All drawer circuits are coupled in parallel to a computer-controlled r.f. signal generator. To locate a particular item, the user enters a description of the item into a system computer, which contains a list of items in the system and the corresponding frequency for each item. The computer then operates the r.f. generator to generate an r.f. signal of the correct frequency for the specified item. The LED on only the drawer containing that item is activated, so that the user can visually locate the correct drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Magnex Corporation
    Inventors: Fong-Jei Lin, Shengbo Zhu
  • Patent number: 6346889
    Abstract: A system and device for insuring the integrity of an automatic garage door has a sensor to determine the status of the door with respect to a predetermined position and a programable actuator which provides a positive signal for automatically activating a warning or alert system when the door is in predetermined position when the programmable actuator is activated and the sensor indicates that the door is at other than the predetermined position. Preferably the programmable actuator is a timer and the predetermined position is closed. The timer can be remotely programmable. The actuator can also be triggered by a sensor of an event such as darkness. Remote means are provided for manually activating the door to return to the desired position by an RF frequency transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Richard D. Moss
  • Patent number: 6342836
    Abstract: A communication system is provided which can be realized in a number of ways to facilitate baggage tracking and recovery. In the most rudimentary realization, the traveler receives a signal from transmitters placed in the baggage which can identify the presence of each item of baggage by a code number which may show either as the code number or as a user supplied personal designator for a particular item of luggage. The transmitter is inexpensive and low power but works well in the aircraft environment and causes no interference with aircraft control, communication or navigation equipment. Advanced versions of the invention include programmability and transponder control as well as enhanced audio signaling also include structure which can sense an aircraft environment based upon pressure, vibration and acceleration to provide control to portable electronic devices in response to sensing the take-off, cruise and landing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Harry I. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6339368
    Abstract: A circuit for automatically driving a mechanical device at its resonance frequency is provided. To do so, the circuit detects non-resonance driving conditions of the mechanical device being coupled to and driven by such circuit. Based on such detection, the circuit generates a signal to drive the device at its resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Zilog, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Leith
  • Patent number: 6331816
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a security apparatus based on the presence of the user and having a portable transmitter for security based information, a receiver for that information and a control unit. The transmitter provides the receiver and control unit with information on the presence of a person. The receiver and control unit is provided with a detector which detects the opening of a door. A processor uses that presence information and the indication of a door being opened to compile information about whether the user is going out or coming in. The receiver and control unit automatically switches on a burglar monitor placed in a monitored space when the receiver and control unit determine that the user has left the monitored space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: IST International Security Technology Oy
    Inventor: Matti Myllymäki
  • Patent number: 6329921
    Abstract: A flame management system comprises two flame detector units which are arranged to view different regions of at least one flame and are connected to separate channels of a processor. Each detector unit has at least two operating modes, such as an infra-red and an ultra-violet operating mode, or a normal and a sensitive infra-red or ultra-violet mode, etc. and is switchable between those modes by the processor. The processor thus selectively processes the output of the two units and actively controls the operating mode of each to obtain responses appropriate to the type and/or condition of the or each flame being monitored. In order to enable both IR and UV monitoring from a single detector unit, the detector includes at least one photo-sensitive member together with an optical element such as an IR filter which operates selectively to deliver an undivided IR or an undivided UV compact to the at least one photo-sensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Spectus Flame Management Limited
    Inventors: David Tindall, David Innes
  • Patent number: 6313742
    Abstract: A system and a method for detecting compromised vehicle wheel and tire operating characteristics includes detection for out of round new tires, under pressure tires, poor front wheel alignment and off center line loads. The instantaneous rotational velocity signal generated for each wheel by an existing antilock braking system (ABS) provides data for the basic comparison of wheel speed is against an instantaneous indication of vehicle speed. Once calibrated, the system provides operational monitoring of the wheels includes initializing the trip odometer, collecting wheel speeds, and sampling vehicle speed. Tire radius and tolerance data as a function of estimated wear and tire temperature. Tire temperature is in turn a function of ambient temperature and trip distance. The rotational velocities for the wheels are estimated as functions of vehicle speed and the updated tire radius data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Truck & Engine Corp
    Inventor: Gerald L. Larson
  • Patent number: 6310548
    Abstract: The position of a monitored door is detected via a magnetic sensor. The detected positional information is digitally encoded and transmitted across power grid wiring within the home to at least one receiver. Based in part on the received positional information, a door alert indicator is activated. The system for door alert is also capable of monitoring multiple door or window openings via a network of interconnected sensors designed specifically for garages. Multiple door alert indicators may be placed throughout the home without interfering with the door status indicator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: RS Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Clark Stephens, Jr., Verlin Gene Russon, Darrel Levan Russon
  • Patent number: 6288649
    Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (12) for a vehicle occupant, a vehicle floor pan (10) for supporting the seat (12), and a weight sensing apparatus (40). The apparatus (40) includes a vehicle seat frame (42), a bracket (44), a member (46), a lever (60), and a sensor (80). The vehicle seat frame (42) supports a weight load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (12). The weight load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (12) is transmitted through the bracket (44) from the vehicle seat frame (42) to the vehicle floor pan (10). The member (46) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (42) and the bracket (44). The member (46) is compressible as the weight load on the seat frame (42) increases and is expandable as the weight load on the seat frame (42) decreases. As the member (46) compresses and expands the seat frame (42) moves vertically relative to the bracket (44). The lever (60) has a first end (62) fixed to and movable with the seat frame (42) and a second end (64) associated with the bracket (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: George B. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6275156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combining RF-EAS circuits with paperboard for producing disposable RF-EAS security tags, or to a method for manufacturing paperboard packaging, such as trays, lids, cartons containers or combinations with an integral RF-EAS security tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Brent Rasband
  • Patent number: 6265975
    Abstract: A communication system is provided which can be realized in a number of ways to facilitate baggage tracking and recovery. In the most rudimentary realization, the traveler receives a signal from transmitters placed in the baggage which can identify the presence of each item of baggage by a code number which may show either as the code number or as a user supplied personal designator for a particular item of luggage. The transmitter is inexpensive and low power but works well in the aircraft environment and causes no interference with aircraft control, communication or navigation equipment. Advanced versions of the invention include programmability and transponder control as well as enhanced audio signalling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Harry I. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6265972
    Abstract: A passive infrared sensor uses a modified lens or mirror to vertically elongate the detection zones in regions close to the sensor. This vertical elongation reduces the signal produced by a small pet, such as a cat, while the greater height of a human intruder produces a larger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Digital Security Controls Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Lee
  • Patent number: 6265985
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of two diode indicator lights with a single control line. The apparatus includes a circuit adapted to selectively provide one of high, low and medium voltage levels on a control output line responsive to combinations of high and low DATA and ENABLE signals. A first indicator is provided having a first diode with an anode and a cathode, the cathode being operatively connected to ground. A second indicator is provided having a second diode with an anode and a cathode, the cathode being operatively connected to a source of medium level voltage. A current limiting resistor is provided having a first end operatively connected to the anode of each of the first and second diodes, the opposite end thereof being connected to the control output line. Moreover, a pull-up resistor is provided having one end connected to the control output line and an opposite end connected to the medium level voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Mathew Arthur Nieberger
  • Patent number: 6252519
    Abstract: Emergency vehicle signaling system wherein an emergency vehicle transmits an RF signal having a narrow cone calculated to be received in a second vehicle. The receiver for the second vehicle is equipped with an indicator in the form of a white light which blinks in order to alert the driver of the emergency vehicle that the RF signal which it is transmitting has been received by the second vehicle. Accordingly, occupants of the second or non-emergency vehicle are made aware of the presence of the emergency vehicle while the visual indicator confirms reception of the RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Lou McKenna
  • Patent number: 6222451
    Abstract: The invention discloses a delivery signal device for a mailbox. It comprises a catcher means (11) connected to the effort arm of a lever (15) which operates a magnetic switch (14). The magnetic switch (14) operates an electrical circuit (19) which then activates a warning system. In one embodiment as taught by the invention, the warning system employs a flashing LED light (30) and this is achieved with the assistance of an integrated electrical circuit (19). The size of the catcher means (11) can be flexibly designed to fit that of a mailbox. To provide equilibrium to the lever (15), a counter weight (13) is provided on the load arm of the lever (15) opposite the catcher means (11). The underside of the load arm of the lever (15) is further provided with a magnet means (14a) operating a normally closed reed switch (14b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Reka Cipta Innovasi SDN BHD
    Inventor: Von Let Leow
  • Patent number: 6218947
    Abstract: A sleep alarm for use in a vehicle for detecting the condition indicative of the onset of sleepiness of a driver and for alerting the driver thereto comprises first and second conductive elements attached in spaced apart relationship to opposite sides of a steering wheel rim. The first conductive element is electrically grounded while the second conductive element is connected to a voltage source. The conductive elements are positioned such that the fingertips of a driver's hand will make proximate contact with the second conductive element. A monitoring circuit is electrically coupled to the second conductive element for sensing the capacitance of the second conductive element relative to the first grounded conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6208242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement to monitor a regulated output voltage in an automotive vehicle, wherein the regulated output voltage is monitored as to whether defined threshold values have been exceeded and/or have fallen short of, wherein the circuit element for regulating the output voltage and the circuit element to monitor whether threshold values have been exceeded or have fallen short of are integrated in one chip, wherein the adjustment of the output voltage is effected by way of a first reference voltage, and wherein monitoring of the threshold values as to whether they have been exceeded or have fallen short of is conducted by way of a second reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Mario Engelmann, Micha Heinz, Wolfgang Fey, Michael Zydeck