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).
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Publication number: 20080079603Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang
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Publication number: 20080079602Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz, Tom Q. Tang
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Publication number: 20080068128Abstract: A vehicle-based communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based electronic control unit disposed within an interior structure of the vehicle for passively controlling entry to the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle-based electronic control unit and at least a portion of the interior structure are unshielded at low electromagnetic frequencies. A housing encloses the vehicle-based electronic control unit. A transmitter is disposed within the electronic control unit for generating a wake-up signal. A single antenna is integrated within the electronic control unit for transmitting the wake-up signal to a respective portable communication device exterior of the vehicle. The wake-up signal challenges the respective portable communication device for determining a presence of the portable communication device for allowing access to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Qingfeng Tang, John S. Nantz, Hiroyuki Maeda
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Publication number: 20080055116Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Yi Luo, John S. Nantz, Riad Ghabra
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Publication number: 20080018447Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Riad Ghabra, Tom Q. Tang, John S. Nantz
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Publication number: 20080018448Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one parameter of vehicle tire includes a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter corresponds to the tire and has a programmable memory storing a code and one of a set of locally unique identifiers. The transmitter generates an encrypted portion of a transmitted signal based on the locally unique identifier and the code. The transmitter generates a data portion of the transmitted signal based on sensing at least one parameter of the tire. The receiver stores a set of locally unique identifiers and the code. The receiver receives the transmitted signal. The encrypted portion is decrypted using at least one of the code and the locally unique identifiers to produce a decrypted portion. A check is made to determine if the decrypted portion matches one of the code and the locally unique identifiers and, if so, the data portion is processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Qingfeng Tang, John S. Nantz
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Patent number: 7310069Abstract: An antenna system for a tire pressure monitoring radio frequency (RF) electronic device that includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, and an active element. The PCB has a top surface and a bottom surface. The ground plane is on the bottom surface. The active element is mounted on the top surface. The active element includes a first segment positioned in a top surface plane and connected to a second segment oriented at an angle to the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra
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Publication number: 20070280376Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz
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Patent number: 7295849Abstract: A two way remote communication system for a vehicle includes a fob portion and a vehicle portion. The fob portion includes a fob battery, a fob transceiver, at least one button and at least one display. The vehicle portion includes a vehicle battery, a vehicle transceiver, and at least one electrical component. The timers are synchronized to simultaneously activate and deactivate the transceivers to establish periodic time intervals when the fob transceiver is open to transmission, which establishes idle time for the fob transceiver and reduces the amount of power consumed by the fob battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, Qingfeng Tang, John S. Nantz, Yi Luo
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Patent number: 7254375Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for verifying a command in a vehicle remote communication system. The remote communication system includes a remote transmitter, and a vehicle body having a receiver module and a control module connected by a communication bus disposed therein. The control module is in communication with at least one vehicle system. The remote transmitter transmits an activation signal that is received and decoded by the receiver module. The receiver module transmits a first message along the communication bus that is received by the control module. The control module transmits an acknowledgment message that is received by the receiver module. The receiver module re-transmits the first message that is received by the control module. The control module then initializes a vehicle system command to the vehicle system, thereby preventing an inadvertent activation of the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventors: Bruce D. Conner, Qingfeng Tang, John S. Nantz, Louis J. Baumgartner
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Patent number: 7154414Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a batter providing power to the transmitter. To conserve battery power, each tire pressure signal transmitted by the transmitters includes a wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal ensures receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver alternating between active state and inactive states.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ronald O. King, John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang
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Patent number: 7028541Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tire pressure monitor system located within the interior of a tire. The system comprises a housing having a wall forming a cavity and an interior wall forming an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, a tire pressure sensor located within the housing cavity, and a pressure cap inserted into the housing opening. The tire pressure sensor has an orifice for helping to sense tire pressure. The pressure cap comprises a wall having a portion that contacts the sensor and extends around the sensor orifice.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Michael A. Uleski, John S. Nantz
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Patent number: 6941801Abstract: A method is provided for replacing at least one tire of a vehicle on a first wheel in a first wheel position, the vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with a first sensor unit having a first ID code mounted to the first wheel. The first sensor unit is interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the interrogation is detected. The at least one tire is removed from the first wheel. If the nominal result is detected during the interrogating step, then the first sensor unit is re-interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the re-interrogation is detected. If either of the interrogation or the re-interrogation provide a faulted result then the first ID code is cloned into a replacement sensor unit and then the replacement sensor unit is swapped for the first sensor unit on the first wheel. A new tire is installed onto the first wheel. The first wheel is installed onto the vehicle in the first wheel position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Lemense, John S. Nantz, Kenneth J. Cunningham, Qingfeng Tang
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Patent number: 6940461Abstract: A remote access device which may comprise an antenna having a first inductor with a first axis, a second inductor with a second axis, and a third inductor with a third axis, where the first, second and third axes may be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, respectively, such that the first inductor generates a first magnetic field associated with a first plane, the second inductor generates a second magnetic field associated with a second plane different than the first plane, and the third inductor generates a third magnetic field associated with a third plane different than the first and second planes. The remote access device preferably includes a single form for the first, second and third inductors, where the first, second and third inductors are each wound on the form.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Qing Li, Bruce D. Conner, Keith A. Walker, Artem Melkumov, Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra, Matthew Honkanen, Salman Khreizat
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Patent number: 6933898Abstract: An antenna system for a radio frequency (RF) electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, and an active element. The PCB has a top surface and a bottom surface. The ground plane is on the bottom surface. The active element is mounted on the top surface. The active element includes a first segment positioned in a top surface plane and connected to a second segment oriented perpendicular to the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra
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Patent number: 6911904Abstract: A system for controlling a magnetic field strength includes a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field for receipt by a responsive device and a controller in communication with the magnetic field generator for determining a strength of the magnetic field to a level sufficient for use in controlling the responsive device.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John S. Nantz, Thomas J. Lemense, Qingfeng Tang, Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King
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Patent number: 6906612Abstract: In a vehicle passive entry system including a remote transceiver, a system and method for detecting the location of the remote transceiver relative to the vehicle. An exterior vehicle antenna is provided for use in transmitting a first signal for receipt by the remote transceiver, and an interior vehicle antenna is provided for use in transmitting a second signal for receipt by the remote transceiver. A controller is provided on board the remote transceiver for determining a signal strength of the first signal, determining a signal strength of the second signal, and determining whether the remote transceiver is located inside or outside the vehicle based on the signal strengths of the first and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang
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Patent number: 6876265Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, an amplitude modulation (AM) radio frequency (RF) oscillator includes a modulator and a generator. The modulator may be configured to generate a modulation signal in response to a data input signal. The generator may be configured to generate an AM output signal having an RF carrier frequency and an envelope, wherein the envelope is amplitude modulated by the modulation signal and the generator includes a frequency determining device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Ronald O. King, Riad Ghabra
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Patent number: 6864803Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals. The transmitters and the receiver utilize code division multiple access (CDMA) for the tire pressure signals so that tire pressure signals transmitted simultaneously by the transmitters can be received by the receiver. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and collects and processes the tire pressure signals, and generates control signals for use in conveying tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Qingfeng Tang, John S. Nantz, Riad Ghabra, Salman Khreizat, Ronald O. King
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Patent number: 6838985Abstract: A system for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure includes monitors mounted in the tires, each including a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal, a battery for the transmitter, and a receiver for receiving an initiation signal. Initiators are mounted on-board the vehicle, each initiator associated with one of the tire monitors. Each initiator is for use in generating a low frequency initiation signal for receipt by a tire receiver to cause the transmitter to transmit a tire pressure signal. A vehicle mounted controller activates the initiators in order to generate the low frequency initiation signals, and processes the tire pressure signals to convey tire pressure information to a user. The controller further activates the initiators in order to generate a low frequency electromagnetic field for use in recharging the batteries in the tire monitors.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Salman Khreizat