Patents by Inventor Frederick Bruwer
Frederick Bruwer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20080094002Abstract: The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20080048574Abstract: The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20080048503Abstract: An electronic switching unit for use with a product comprising and/or connected to a power source and at least one energy consuming load comprises a microchip, connected to a user interface switch structure. The microchip is configured to implement at least one function selected from the group consisting of an automatic delayed deactivation of a function a predetermined period after the function was activated in response to an activation signal from the switch structure; a visible indicator, and a mode selection function. The switch structure comprises a body at least a part of which is constructed from a compressible material which is deformed under pressure, so that it becomes thinner in a direction in which the pressure is exerted and in becoming thinner affects the operation of the switch structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20080021706Abstract: A method of distributing speech which includes the steps of, at a given location, receiving an audio signal, extracting from the audio signal a signal representing speech originating from or near the location, and distributing an electric signal which is mixed with the extracted speech signal via an audio system to be played over at least one loudspeaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20070278962Abstract: An electronic circuit including a microchip for use as an intelligent user interface also comprises touch sensor technology that differentiates between proximity and physical contact events to activate and control various loads including light bulbs, products with radio frequency circuitry or electric motors. An input to the microchip is connected to a switch or sensing structure that does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The electronic circuit controls various functions in response to user actions including automatic delayed shut-off functions, find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level/product state indications. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20060279896Abstract: A module for controlling power supply to a load in a product which includes a microchip, and an electromechanical switch and a proximity/touch sensor connected to the microchip, preferably to the same input. The switch is primarily used to activate or deactivate the load and the proximity/touch sensor to vary the effect of operating the switch, or to control additional functions such as the activation of a signal, typically a light signal, which helps to locate the product, particularly in the dark, and to vary the duration of an automatic time-out period at the end of which the load is deactivated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20060250028Abstract: An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator which are active when the load is not energized and the power source is not being charged. The input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Patent number: 6985472Abstract: Encoder and decoder microchips suitable for use in remote control devices, are disclosed. The encoder microchip comprises means for performing an encoding function on an identification number embedded in the said microchip and a combination of a unit number and a stepping counter value, so as to generate a transmission value which is only decodable by a related decoding function having access to the same identification number. The decoder microchip comprises means for decoding the transmission value into a decoded unit number and a decoded counter value and means for comparing the decoded counter value with a decoder counter value range. The encoder and decoder microchips are provided with means for changing, e.g. in a preferred mode incrementing, the counter values by a number greater than one after a period of time, subsequent to the encoder microchip being activated or the decoder microchip receiving a transmission value.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20050140310Abstract: The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on/off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2005Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20050121980Abstract: An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator which are active when the load is not energized and the power source is not being charged. The input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20050083626Abstract: An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and at least one load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on/off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select a specific load, specific functions for the selected load based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Publication number: 20050052862Abstract: A flashlight includes a body with first and second opposed ends, an enclosure for at least one battery which is defined between the first and second ends, and a non-circular mouth at the first end, a head which is engageable with the mouth, and at least one clip which is engageable with the head and the body thereby to secure the head to the body. The body may include at least a first fixing formation and the head may include at least a second fixing formation, and the clip may have formations which are complementary to, and which are engageable with, the first and second fixing formations. The clip may be movable between a first position at which the clip engages fully with the fixing formation or formations on the body or head, and a second position at which the clip is fully disengaged from the fixing formation or formations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Frederick Bruwer, Terence Erasmus
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Publication number: 20050006908Abstract: A lock which includes a bolt, a catch, a handle for manually moving the catch from an operative position to an inoperative position, first link elements, and electrically actuable elements for causing movement of the first link elements between first and second positions, the first link elements, at the first position, translating movement of the handle in a first direction into movement of the bolt from a locked position to an unlocked position and, at the second position, allowing handle movement in the first direction without corresponding movement of the bolt.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Applicant: AZOTEQ (PTY) LTDInventors: Frederick Bruwer, Aucamp Brandt, Lajos Vari
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Publication number: 20040093500Abstract: Encoder and decoder microchips suitable for use in remote control devices, are disclosed. The encoder microchip comprises means for performing an encoding function on an identification number embedded in the said microchip and a combination of a unit number and a stepping counter value, so as to generate a transmission value which is only decodable by a related decoding function having access to the same identification number. The decoder microchip comprises means for decoding the transmission value into a decoded unit number and a decoded counter value and means for comparing the decoded counter value with a decoder counter value range. The encoder and decoder microchips are provided with means for changing, e.g. in a preferred mode incrementing, the counter values by a number greater than one after a period of time, subsequent to the encoder microchip being activated or the decoder microchip receiving a transmission value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATEDInventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Patent number: 6166650Abstract: A method and system for the remote control of devices having a secure self learn capability. The system includes an encoder and a decoder, the encoder encoding variable information including a user key using a non-linear algorithm to produce an encoded value transmitted to the decoder, the decoder decoding the value using the same algorithm. In a learning mode a new encoder is to be added to the system. The new encoder produces an encoded value using a key generation seed. The decoder, upon receiving the encoded key generation seed, produces a decoding key based upon the decoded key generation seed. The decoding key is stored in the decoder memory allowing valid recognition of the new encoder in a secure manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Microchip Technology, Inc.Inventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Patent number: 6108326Abstract: Encoder and decoder microchips suitable for use in remote control devices. The encoder microchip performs an encoding function on an identification number embedded in the said microchip and a combination of a unit number and a stepping counter value, so as to generate a transmission value which is only decodable by a related decoding function having access to the same identification number. The decoder microchip decodes the transmission value into a decoded unit number and a decoded counter value and means for comparing the decoded counter value with a decoder counter value range. The encoder and decoder microchips are provided with means for changing, e.g. in a preferred mode incrementing, the counter values by a number greater than one after a period of time, subsequent to the encoder microchip being activated or the decoder microchip receiving a transmission value.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventor: Frederick Bruwer
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Patent number: 5675622Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an encoder, which in one embodiment, includes a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value such that only one bit of the counter value changes each time the counter value is incremented, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for use with an encoder having a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of incrementing the counter value such that only one bit is changed each time the counter is incremented.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventors: Kent Hewitt, Willem Smit, Emile van Rooyen, Frederick Bruwer