Patents by Inventor John S. Nantz

John S. Nantz 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).

  • Patent number: 9262878
    Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, transmitting a command signal according to one of a first transmission protocol and a second transmission protocol, and selecting the first transmission protocol for use in transmitting the command signal when a selected command is of a first type, and selecting the second transmission protocol for use in transmitting the command signal when a selected command is of a second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang, Yi Luo
  • Patent number: 9085281
    Abstract: A remote keyless entry system includes a portable communication device for communicating with an electronic control module of a transportation vehicle. The transmitter has at least two selectable communication channels for broadcasting communications signals to the transportation vehicle. A vehicle based electronic control module communicates with the portable communication device. The electronic control module includes a receiver that includes at least two selectable communication channels for receiving RF signals from the portable communication device. A controller selectively energizes the receiver for measuring a RSSI voltage level of each selectable communication channel of the receiver over respective predetermined time periods. The controller determines which of the at least two selectable communication channels includes a lowest noise level based on the measured RSSI voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Riad Ghabra
  • Patent number: 9047716
    Abstract: In one embodiment of a system and method for remote activation of a device includes, a transceiver is provided for transmitting a command signal according to a first transmission protocol having a first data rate, receiving an acknowledgment signal indicating that the command signal transmitted according to the first transmission protocol has been received, and transmitting the command signal according a second transmission protocol, the second transmission protocol having a second data rate less than the first data rate and including partition of the command signal. A controller is provided for selecting the first transmission protocol for use in transmitting the command signal in response to a user input, and selecting the second transmission protocol for use in transmitting the command signal when the transceiver fails to receive the acknowledgment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang, Yi Luo
  • Patent number: 8872616
    Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, transmitting a command message according to a first modulation, and transmitting a signal representing the command message for the device according to a second modulation. The signal representing the command message transmitted according to the second modulation may be transmitted within the command message transmitted according to the first modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang
  • Patent number: 8401066
    Abstract: Method and system of power regulating, such as but not limited to attenuating signal power levels. The power regulating being suitable for use in any number of application, environments, and circuits, including but not limited to those associated with a universal garage door opener (UGDO), remote keyless entry (RKE) unit, tire pressure monitor (TPM) unit, and/or a passive entry element. The regulating may be suitable for directly broadcasting the regulated signal and/or communication the regulated signal to other circuit element for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz
  • Patent number: 8218608
    Abstract: A self-tuning duplicating transceiver is provided. The transceiver includes a microprocessor, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes an electrically tunable radio frequency oscillator, and the receiver includes a counter for determining an edge count associated with a received signal. The microprocessor is programmed to receive an unknown signal with the receiver and use the counter to determine the edge count thereof, and electrically tune the transmitter oscillator to a carrier frequency corresponding to the edge count for the unknown signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, Bruce Conner, Art Turovsky, Keith Walker, Thomas Bejster
  • Publication number: 20110170590
    Abstract: Method and system of power regulating, such as but not limited to attenuating signal power levels. The power regulating being suitable for use in any number of application, environments, and circuits, including but not limited to those associated with a universal garage door opener (UGDO), remote keyless entry (RKE) unit, tire pressure monitor (TPM) unit, and/or a passive entry element. The regulating may be suitable for directly broadcasting the regulated signal and/or communication the regulated signal to other circuit element for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz
  • Patent number: 7944340
    Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, receiving a signal indicative of a range from the device, comparing the range to a threshold, selecting a first transmission protocol when the range exceeds the threshold, selecting a second transmission protocol when the range fails to exceed the threshold, and transmitting a command signal according to the selected first or second transmission protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang, Yi Luo
  • Patent number: 7941257
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system includes sensors respectively associated with tires normally installed on a vehicle. Each sensor transmits a sensor signal indicative of a parameter of the associated tire to a controller. The signal strength of each sensor signal as received by the controller varies over time when the tire is rolling and remains constant over time when the tire is stationary. The controller generates a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal indicative of the signal strength of each sensor signal as received by the controller. The controller processes the RSSI signals along with a speed signal indicative of whether the vehicle is moving or is stationary to determine if any tire is stationary while the vehicle is moving, and generates a warning indicative of an unmonitored tire installed on the vehicle in place of a tire upon determining that the tire is stationary while the vehicle is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Cotton, Keith E. Mattson, John S. Nantz
  • Patent number: 7933324
    Abstract: Method and system of power regulating, such as but not limited to attenuating signal power levels. The power regulating being suitable for use in any number of application, environments, and circuits, including but not limited to those associated with a universal garage door opener (UGDO), remote keyless entry (RKE) unit, tire pressure monitor (TPM) unit, and/or a passive entry element. The regulating may be suitable for directly broadcasting the regulated signal and/or communication the regulated signal to other circuit element for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz
  • Patent number: 7915997
    Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, transmitting a command message according to a first modulation, and transmitting a signal representing the command message for the device according to a second modulation. The signal representing the command message transmitted according to the second modulation may be transmitted within the command message transmitted according to the first modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang
  • Patent number: 7724125
    Abstract: A remote unit for a keyless entry system for a vehicle. The remote unit comprising a controller configured to generate a command signal in response to a user input. The command signal comprising a first command message and a substantially similar second command message. The first command message comprises a first low data rate portion and the second command message comprises a high data rate portion. The remote unit further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang
  • Patent number: 7545259
    Abstract: Method, fob, and system suitable for use in directing a user to the vehicle. The direction being determined as a function of GPS coordinates determined with GPS units on a fob and vehicle. The GPS unit being activated in coordination with each other such that the GPS coordinates associated with the same are commonly inaccurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Yi Luo, John S. Nantz, Riad Ghabra
  • Patent number: 7528706
    Abstract: A system and method for tire pressure monitoring. The system includes a receiver having a storage memory, and a transmitter corresponding to a tire. The storage memory includes a set of unique identifier. The transmitter includes a programmable memory. The receiver is configured to receive a signal, determine when the signal corresponds to a member of the set of unique identifiers, and process the signal when the signal corresponds to a member of the set of unique identifiers. The transmitter is configured to receive a unique member of the set of unique identifiers, store the unique member in the programmable memory, and transmit a signal corresponding to the unique member and the air pressure in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Tom Q. Tang, John S. Nantz
  • Publication number: 20090112390
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system includes sensors respectively associated with tires normally installed on a vehicle. Each sensor transmits a sensor signal indicative of a parameter of the associated tire to a controller. The signal strength of each sensor signal as received by the controller varies over time when the tire is rolling and remains constant over time when the tire is stationary. The controller generates a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal indicative of the signal strength of each sensor signal as received by the controller. The controller processes the RSSI signals along with a speed signal indicative of whether the vehicle is moving or is stationary to determine if any tire is stationary while the vehicle is moving, and generates a warning indicative of an unmonitored tire installed on the vehicle in place of a tire upon determining that the tire is stationary while the vehicle is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Cotton, Keith E. Mattson, John S. Nantz
  • Publication number: 20090066496
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a TPM receiver, a trigger device and a TPM sensor. The TPM receiver is adapted to receive tire pressure information. The trigger device is adapted to generate a low frequency (LF) unmodulated signal that is indicative of trigger command. The TPM sensor comprises an LF tank circuit adapted to receive the LF unmodulated signal and a microprocessor operably coupled to the LF tank circuit and configured to detect the presence of LF unmodulated signal and to transmit a LF output signal having tire pressure information to the TPM receiver in response to the trigger command without demodulating the LF unmodulated signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Nantz, Keith E. Mattson, Kevin Cotton
  • Publication number: 20080197987
    Abstract: A remote keyless entry system includes a portable communication device for communicating with an electronic control module of a transportation vehicle. The transmitter has at least two selectable communication channels for broadcasting communications signals to the transportation vehicle. A vehicle based electronic control module communicates with the portable communication device. The electronic control module includes a receiver that includes at least two selectable communication channels for receiving RF signals from the portable communication device. A controller selectively energizes the receiver for measuring a RSSI voltage level of each selectable communication channel of the receiver over respective predetermined time periods. The controller determines which of the at least two selectable communication channels includes a lowest noise level based on the measured RSSI voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Riad Ghabra
  • Publication number: 20080100429
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a tire pressure monitoring (TPM)/remote keyless entry (RKE) system and method for a vehicle. The system includes a TPM sensor configured to sense the condition of a vehicle tire and transmit a TPM sensor signal during a first predetermined time period. A RKE device is included that is configured to transmit a RKE signal during a second predetermined time period. Additionally, a TPM/RKE module is configured to operate in a TPM mode and a RKE mode. The TPM/RKE module receives the TPM sensor signal during the TPM mode and the RKE signal during the RKE mode. The TPM/RKE module is also configured to automatically transition between the TPM mode and the RKE mode in accordance with the first and the second predetermined time periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi Luo, Qingfeng T. Tang, John S. Nantz
  • Publication number: 20080088411
    Abstract: A remote unit for a keyless entry system for a vehicle. The remote unit comprising a controller configured to generate a command signal in response to a user input. The command signal comprising a first command message and a substantially similar second command message. The first command message comprises a first low data rate portion and the second command message comprises a high data rate portion. The remote unit further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang
  • Patent number: 7358852
    Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system, the system including an immobilizer transmitter that transmits at least one low frequency (LF) sensor diagnostic signal, at least one TPM sensor, wherein the at least one TPM sensor includes a transceiver that receives the at least one LF sensor diagnostic signal and, when the at least one TPM sensor is operating properly, presents at least one radio frequency (RF) message signal, and a TPM receiver that receives the at least one RF message signal and provides an indication to an operator when the at least one RF message signal is received, wherein the LF sensor diagnostic signal is transmitted to determine proper operation of the at least one TPM sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Riad Ghabra, Thomas J. LeMense