Abstract: An RFID pin detection system includes bowling pins incorporating RFID tags and a pin deck incorporating reader antennas located in positions corresponding to the placement of the bowling pins. A controller energizes the reader antennas to activate RFID tags in those bowling pins that are in the pin-up position. The pin-up information is used in automatic scoring.

Abstract: A wireless damper control device comprises a damper positioned in a flue, movable between a closed position where the flue is blocked and an open position, a damper controller which sends a damper signal which moves the damper between the open position and the closed position, and a fire side controller which transmits a fireplace signal to open a gas valve to initiate combustion when a fire is desired at a fireplace, and to close the gas valve to terminate combustion when a fire is no longer desired at the fireplace, and which receives a damper status signal from the damper controller indicating whether the damper is in the closed position or the open position.

Abstract: A control system for remotely activating an automatically opening door according to the present invention includes a plurality of transmitters held by different people and each transmitter transmits control signals. The system further includes a plurality of doors at least some of which are mounted in different buildings. Each of the doors includes an actuator for automatically opening and closing the door and a receiver electrically coupled to the actuator for receiving control signals from the transmitters and activating the actuator to open the door in response to the receipt of the control signals. In this system, any one of the transmitters may be used to open any of the doors.

Abstract: A system for communicating information includes a transceiver provided within a vehicle that is configured for wireless communication with a cellular phone and with a portable computing device. The wireless communication between the transceiver and the cellular phone utilizes a Bluetooth communications protocol.

Abstract: A vehicle-based control system and method for use with a barrier operating system that includes a motor, a receiver in communication with the motor, and a remote transmitter for transmitting an activation signal to the receiver. The activation signal includes a radio frequency carrier signal modulated with a codeword for use in activating the motor to open and close the barrier. A vehicle-mounted transceiver receives multiple radio frequency carrier signals, and transmits an activation signal for receipt by the barrier operating system receiver. A vehicle-mounted controller stores the received radio frequency carrier signals, and receives user input identifying an activation scheme having a variable codeword format.

Abstract: A system for communicating vehicle diagnostic information includes a transmitter provided in a vehicle and configured to wirelessly transmit signals according to a Bluetooth protocol. The signals transmitted are representative of vehicle diagnostic information.

Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a trainable transceiver provided in a vehicle. The trainable transceiver wirelessly communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver.

Abstract: A system for communicating information is described. The system comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to a vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate with a personal digital assistant (PDA) located external to the transceiver using wireless RF signals to transmit information between the transceiver and the PDA.

Abstract: A system for communicating information includes a transceiver provided within a vehicle that is configured for wireless communication with a cellular phone and with a portable computing device. The wireless communication between the transceiver and the cellular phone utilizes a Bluetooth communications protocol.

Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.

Abstract: A control system for remotely activating an automatically opening door according to the present invention includes a plurality of transmitters held by different people and each transmitter transmits control signals. The system further includes a plurality of doors at least some of which are mounted in different buildings. Each of the doors includes an actuator for automatically opening and closing the door and a receiver electrically coupled to the actuator for receiving control signals from the transmitters and activating the actuator to open the door in response to the receipt of the control signals. In this system, any one of the transmitters may be used to open any of the doors.

Abstract: An electronic system that includes a trailer sensor, a lock sensor and a control circuit determine whether a trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to a trailer. The trailer sensor senses the position of the trailer relative to the trailer hitch assembly and the lock sensor senses the position of the locking mechanism. The control circuit is coupled to the trailer sensor and the lock sensor and masks an output of the lock sensor for a first predetermined stabilization period after the control circuit initially determines that the trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to the trailer.

Abstract: An electronic system that includes a trailer sensor, a lock sensor and a control circuit determines whether a trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to a trailer. The trailer sensor senses the position of the trailer relative to the trailer hitch assembly and the lock sensor senses the position of the locking mechanism. The control circuit is coupled to the trailer sensor and the lock sensor and masks an output of the lock sensor for a first predetermined stabilization period after the control circuit initially determines that the trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to the trailer.

Abstract: The data storing method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a data encoded signal; (b) sampling the received data encoded signal at a first sampling rate; (c) counting the number of consecutive samples at a first logic level; (d) storing the number of samples counted in step (c) in a first portion of a memory template; (e) counting the number of consecutive samples at a second logic level; (f) comparing the number of samples counted in step (e) to a threshold value; (g) changing the sampling rate at which the received data encoded signal is sampled and counting the number of consecutive samples at the second logic level if the number of samples counted in step (e) exceeds the threshold value; and (h) storing in the memory template, the number of samples counted in step (e) if the threshold was not exceeded, or the number of samples counted in step (g) if the threshold value was exceeded. The apparatus includes a processor programmed to perform the above steps.

Abstract: A trainable transmitter is described that is capable of learning and replicating both AM and FM signals. The trainable transmitter also has the capacity to learn and replicate RF signals in both the 27 MHz to 40 MHz and the 250 MHz to 450 MHz frequency bands commonly used in European garage door openers. The trainable transmitter allows an individual to input an identification of the country in which the trainable transmitter will be operated such that the trainable transmitter may then transmit the learned signals at the maximum levels permitted for the identified county.

Abstract: A latching circuit is coupled to the vehicle's power supply and to a trainable transmitter microprocessor such that upon initial training, the latch is set to maintain a logic level signal to the microprocessor for enabling the microprocessor once initially trained. If, however, the power is removed from the latch circuit and reapplied, as may occur if the trainable transmitter is removed from the vehicle, the latch circuit will provide a different logic level signal to the microprocessor either disabling the transmit function for the microprocessor or erasing the code stored in the nonvolatile memory. The trainable transmitter, thus, will not be useful unless retrained utilizing the homeowner's original transmitter. The invention, the latch circuit includes a pair of MOSFETs with a very low current drain coupled in a flip-flop configuration such that their operational state will reverse once set upon removal and reapplication of power.

Abstract: A trainable transmitter for learning the characteristics of a received RF signal and for transmitting a coded RF signal having the learned characteristics to a receiver for remote activation of a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transmitter includes a tunable RF circuit and a controller coupled to the RF circuit for selectively tuning the RF circuit during a training sequence. To provide a user with an early indication that a valid RF signal is being received at the initiation of the training sequence, the control circuit quickly sweeps the frequency at which the RF circuit is tuned from the lowest frequency to the highest frequency of a frequency range in which the carrier frequency of a valid RF signal would fall. If a signal is not detected during this initial fast scanning procedure, the training sequence is terminated and the user is so informed.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes an RF carrier frequency modulated with a code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transceiver includes a frequency table including a list of frequencies for remote transmitters known to transmit for only a short duration and the trainable transceiver first reads the short duration frequencies from the frequency table. The trainable transceiver may additionally include a prompting circuit for prompting an operator to cause a remote transmitter to retransmit its activation signal if the activation signal ceases before training is complete.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes an RF carrier frequency modulated with a code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. In one embodiment, the trainable transceiver preferably includes a controller, a signal generator, and a dynamically tunable antenna having a variable impedance that may be selectively controlled in accordance with a carrier frequency of a received or transmitted activation signal. In another embodiment, the trainable transceiver preferably includes a phase-locked loop circuit for providing a frequency control voltage to a signal generator to selectively adjust the carrier frequency of the signal generator. In yet another embodiment, the trainable transceiver includes an amplifying circuit for selectively controlling the gain of a modulated radio frequency carrier signal received from the signal generator and for transmitting an amplified output signal to the remotely actuated device.

Abstract: A wireless system for monitoring vehicle parameters, such as tire pressure, using radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from transmitters close in proximity to an associated parameter sensor, to a centrally located receiver. The transmitted RF signals from the transmitters may be distinguished by the frequency of the respective transmitted RF signals. To detect the presence of an RF signal having a particular frequency, the wireless vehicle parameter monitoring system of one embodiment includes a digitally controlled tuner or a plurality of parallel bandpass filters, which pass different ranges of frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of the RF signals output from the transmitters. In this manner, RF signals transmitted from different tires may be distinguished based upon the frequency of the transmitted signal. The receiver of this system may be implemented in the receiver of a trainable transmitter such that a dedicated receiver need not be provided.