Patents Issued in August 31, 2004
  • Patent number: 6784754
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for compensating for variations in capacitance of capacitors used in resonant circuits, particularly varactors used in voltage-controlled oscillators. Indications of actual varactor capacitances are used to determine which of several inductances to use in the resonant circuit with the varactor. The inductances may be composed of a bondwire inductance, and may also be composed of one or more coil inductors. Based on the determined capacitance indication, a bondwire is connected from a common bondpad to a selected bondpad to complete the resonant tank circuit such that an LC product of the tank circuit is within a desired or acceptable LC product range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Skyworks,Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackie K. Cheng
  • Patent number: 6784755
    Abstract: A high PSRR, low power semiconductor digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) architecture employs only one simple current steering D/A converter directly on top of a multi-stage current controlled oscillator. The architecture provides a good building block for many circuit applications, e.g., all digital phase lock loops, direct modulation transmitters for wireless devices, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heng-Chih Lin, Baher S. Haroun
  • Patent number: 6784756
    Abstract: An oven controlled crystal oscillator has an onboard processor containing an algorithm used to generate a frequency compensating signal based on a predetermined relationship and a monitored current consumption of a heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Villella
  • Patent number: 6784757
    Abstract: A highly stable single chip resonator controlled oscillator with automatic amplitude control and biasing is designed for manufacture with monolithic integrated circuit technologies. Analog and digital output buffers with elaborate control for power saving purposes and sophisticated start-up and power-up circuits ensure, that a crystal controlled oscillation is safely induced at start-up and that the amplitude of oscillation is continuously controlled during operation to reach low phase noise and reduce power consumption of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Sibrai, Kurt Fritzwenwallner
  • Patent number: 6784758
    Abstract: A wave device for supporting electromagnetic waves, the device including a first pair of inputs for setting up a first standing wave therebetween a second pair of inputs for setting up a second standing wave therebetween and positioned such that the input signal of each of the first and second pairs of inputs is unaffected by the other of the first and second pairs of inputs and an output positioned so as to receive power from both the first and second standing waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ISIS Innovation Limited
    Inventors: David John Edwards, Alan Peter Jenkins, Yit Aun Lim
  • Patent number: 6784759
    Abstract: An antenna duplexer has a receiving filter having a surface acoustic wave device; a transmitting filter having a dielectric resonator; and a matching circuit for matching the receiving filter and the transmitting filter with an antenna respectively, wherein the transmitting filter, receiving filter, and matching circuit are integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Maekawa, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Toru Yamada, Toshio Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 6784760
    Abstract: A filter circuit directed primarily to use in the CATV industry includes at least one frequency dependent component, such as an RF choke, capacitor or inductor, for attenuating signals over at least a portion of the frequency range of signals which pass through the filter. In a typical application, signals are transmitted and received in both forward and return paths at each end of a multi-channel, two-way communication system. Signals in the frequency range of the return path, or of both paths, are attenuated by a desired amount, which is essentially constant over the frequency range of attenuation. In any case, the circuit component providing the attenuation is frequency dependent, thus providing a number of advantages, such as reducing the number of circuit components, reducing filter size and cost, and/or increasing the filter's electric surge and power handling capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmet Burak Olcen, Henry Pixley
  • Patent number: 6784761
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet is equipped with an approval information of being approved as applicable to the predetermined printer. The thermal transfer sheet is set on a printer and, when a determinator determines that the approval information is correct for the printer, the printer is interlocked with the determinator to work the printer in the state where the thermal transfer sheet is set thereon. In the particularly preferable aspect, a recording part of thermal transfer are worked together with the printer and an approval information is destructed by the heating. A mark of an approval information can be formed of a material which can be detected by the light in a visible light region or an invisible region light, a magnetic material, an electrically-conductive material or a resonance circuit. The resonance circuit is preferably formed by thermally transferring an electrically-conductive layer in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideichiro Takeda, Kensuke Shinozaki, Taketomo Katai, Norikazu Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6784762
    Abstract: A laminated LC filter having very large inductance and an excellent Q characteristic, includes insulation layers, inductor patterns having substantially the same shapes and capacitor patterns. The inductor patterns are laminated through the insulation layers, and constitute the inductor of the duplex structure. Similarly, the inductor patterns also constitute the inductor of the duplex structure. The capacitor patterns are opposite to the increased width portions of the inductor patterns, and define the capacitor. Similarly, the capacitor patterns are opposite to the increased width portions of the inductor patterns, and define the capacitor. The coupling capacitor pattern is located between the inductor patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Kato
  • Patent number: 6784763
    Abstract: In a longitudinally coupled multi-mode piezoelectric bulk wave filter, a laminated piezoelectric body obtained by overlapping a plurality of excitation electrodes with piezoelectric layers therebetween and piezoelectric portions aligned with the laminated piezoelectric body are integrated. The thickness of each of the piezoelectric portions is greater than the thickness of the laminated piezoelectric body. The input electrode, the output electrode, and the ground electrode are connected to the respective excitation electrodes of the piezoelectric body. When an input signal is applied between the input electrode and the ground electrode, harmonics, with a plurality of different orders of vibrations, using the piezoelectric longitudinal effect are efficiently generated and are combined to produce the filter characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Nishimura, Jiro Inoue, Hiroaki Kaida
  • Patent number: 6784764
    Abstract: An end-surface reflection type surface acoustic wave filter is capable of increasing an attenuation amount outside a pass band while insertion loss characteristics are not seriously deteriorated. The filter is a longitudinally coupled resonator type surface acoustic wave filter using an SH type surface acoustic wave, which has first and second grooves formed in a piezoelectric substrate at the top surface thereof so as to be substantially parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, IDTs which are provided between the grooves for defining the longitudinally coupled resonator type surface acoustic wave filter, reflection end-surfaces disposed on side surfaces of the first and the second grooves at the IDT sides, and one of a resin-coating layer and a protective layer made of SiO2, are provided on the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Kadota, Hideya Horiuchi, Junya Ago, Takeshi Nakao, Yasuhiro Kuratani
  • Patent number: 6784765
    Abstract: A mulitlayer ceramic device improves device functionality, reduces overall device size and profile, makes manufacturing easier, and improves reliability. A first ceramic layer 1 has a first multilayer circuit pattern 2 electrically connected through via holes 3. A second ceramic layer 2 also has a second multilayer circuit pattern 2 electrically connected through via holes 3. A thermosetting resin sheet 17 is disposed between the first and second ceramic layers. The thermosetting resin sheet has through holes filled with a conductive paste for electrically connecting one of multiple circuit pattern layers in the first ceramic layer with one of multiple circuit pattern layers in the second ceramic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Yamada, Kazuhide Uriu, Tsutomu Matsumura, Toshio Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 6784766
    Abstract: A method for the design of tunable filters is disclosed. MEMS switches are used to alter the resonant frequency of one or more resonators. By tuning the resonant frequency of the resonators, the filter's characteristics also are tuned. Furthermore, MEMS switches are used to alter the input coupling, including direct input coupling and capacitive input coupling. Direct input coupling is altered by using the MEMS switches to select different input connection points. Capacitive input coupling is altered by using MEMS switches to add additional input capacitance to an input coupling capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Allison, Jerold K. Rowland, Ron K. Nakahira
  • Patent number: 6784767
    Abstract: A dielectric filter includes a dielectric block having inner-conductor-formed holes extending from a first face of the dielectric block to a second face opposed to the first face. Inner conductors are formed inside the inner-conductor-formed holes such that both ends of the inner-conductor-formed holes are open-circuited. On the exterior surface of the dielectric block, balanced input/output terminals are capacitively coupled to the open ends of the inner-conductor-formed holes. A metal cover is provided so as to cover one of the first or second face of the dielectric block. The metal cover functions as a short-circuit conductor in a spurious mode such as a TE mode other than a TEM mode, and hence the influence of the spurious mode is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoharu Hiroshima, Jun Toda, Hideyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 6784768
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for coupling energy into or out of a dielectric resonator circuit by means of a coupling loop. More particularly, the invention is a method and apparatus for adjustably mounting a coupling loop relative to a resonator, the method and apparatus particularly adapted for use with conical and similar resonators in which the field of interest, typically the TE mode, varies as a function of longitudinal position relative to the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: M/A - Com, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi Dhimiter Pance, Eswarappa Channabasappa, Adil Khalil
  • Patent number: 6784769
    Abstract: A switch includes at least two distributed constant lines (21a, 21b) disposed close to each other, a movable element (11) arranged above the distributed constant lines so as to oppose these distributed constant lines and connecting the distributed constant lines to each other in a high-frequency manner upon contacting the distributed constant lines, and a driving means (4) for displacing the movable element by an electrostatic force to bring the movable element into contact with the distributed constant lines. The movable element has at least two projection (32a-32d) formed by notching an overlap portion of the movable element which is located on at least one distributed constant line. The projections oppose a corresponding distributed constant line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shuguang Chen
  • Patent number: 6784770
    Abstract: An earth leakage detection device (14) includes a housing (52) and an earth leakage detection circuit (114) mounted within said housing (52) for detecting earth leakage in the electrical distribution circuit. A dielectric test switch (115) is arranged between the electrically conductive strap (18) and the earth leakage detection circuit (114). Pressing the button (84) causes said dielectric test switch (115) to stop the flow of electrical current from said electrically conductive strap (18) to said earth leakage detection circuit (114) to protect the circuit (114) during dielectric testing. A lever arm (605), pivotally secured within said housing (52), causes said trip/reset mechanism (116) to actuate the circuit breaker (12) when said button (84) is pressed. The trip/reset mechanism (116) is resiliently mounted within said housing (52), independently from said transformer (182).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Miguel Ortiz Gimenez, Pere Planas Comerma
  • Patent number: 6784771
    Abstract: A compact high aspect ratio MEMS optical switch, and a process for fabricating same, are disclosed. An outer body portion is mounted so as to have a first rotational degree of freedom about a first axis. An inner body portion is coupled mechanically to the outer body portion so as to have a second rotational degree of freedom relative to the outer body portion about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and in the plane of the outer body portion. The inner body portion is further coupled to the outer body portion in a manner such that the inner body portion rotates with the outer body portion about the first axis if the outer body is rotated about the first axis, such that the second axis remains substantially in the plane of the outer body portion as the outer body portion rotates about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: New Peregrine, Inc.
    Inventor: Long-Sheng Fan
  • Patent number: 6784772
    Abstract: An electric solenoid with adaptable terminals and posts to connect to a variety of different electric connectors, and with a multiple-eared mounting plate permitting mounting in a variety of configurations. The solenoid posts combine internally-threaded female post receptors integrally molded into the solenoid casing, with removable post studs, one end of which is threaded to screw into the respective female post receptor. The other end of the removable post studs are also threaded, and can be formed in a variety of different sizes to accommodate a variety of connectors as needed for a particular application. The energizing terminal (and ground terminal, if present) can accommodate a variety of connector types, including eyelet leads, push-on connectors, and spade connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis Brandon, Michael L. Mullins, Thomas G. Holder
  • Patent number: 6784773
    Abstract: A small-sized electromagnetic relay which can afford high current and dissipate generated heat efficiently is disclosed. A plate section 18c for coupling to one side of a yoke 14 is formed on a movable contact terminal 18. Countersunk rivet features at three or more positions which are not aligned on a line on the plate section 18c couple the movable contact terminal 18 to the yoke 14. A base end 16b of a movable contact spring 16 is coupled to the surface of the plate section 18c opposite to the yoke 14 to support the movable contact spring 16. In the countersunk rivet feature, each protrusion 14a formed on the yoke 14 is inserted into the corresponding countersunk hole 18d formed on the plate section 18c, respectively, and the tops of the protrusions 14a are crushed to expand its diameter so as to sandwich the plate section 18c against the yoke 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tsutsui, Hideyuki Wachi
  • Patent number: 6784774
    Abstract: A magnetic switch hardly affected by an external magnetic field even if a cheap magnet is used and capable of performing magnetic detection for a long period of time is provided. A first magnetic path L1 and a second magnetic path L2 in which a stationary rail 13 and a movable rail 14 lead magnetic fluxes are formed in a non-shielding state where magnetism shielding 18 is not interposed in a gap G between a magnet M and a Hall element H to secure the number of magnetic fluxes that pass through the Hall element H. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a costly rare earth magnet having a large number of generated magnetic fluxes. In n shielding state where the magnetism shielding 18 is interposed in the gap G, the first magnetic path L1 is shielded. As a result, the number of magnetic fluxes that pass through the Hall element H is almost zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Okumura
  • Patent number: 6784775
    Abstract: A safety switch apparatus for disabling the operation of a hand-held appliance, e.g., a hair dryer, during periods of nonuse such as when the appliance is put down on a prescribed surface or placed in a non-functional position such as being held under a user's arm. In a first implementation, a sensor is coupled to control circuitry within the appliance to remove power from portions of the device, e.g., its motor and/or heater, when the appliance is proximate to an externally-provided magnetic field preferably provided from a magnetic element typically contained within a pad placeable on a work surface, within the work surface, or a wearable piece of clothing. In a second implementation, the converse occurs, i.e., a sensor is used to sense the presence of a user and to disable operation when the user is no longer present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: LJM Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Joan Golden Mandell, Lee Jay Mandell, Richard David Mandell
  • Patent number: 6784776
    Abstract: A magnetic field generator comprises a pair of pole-piece units. The pair of pole-piece units respectively include plate yokes. Each of the plate yokes includes a surface facing the other's and provided with a permanent magnet group and a pole piece. The pole piece includes an annular projection having a plurality of annular-projection pieces and a permanent magnet for reduction of magnetic flux leakage installed on an outside surface of each annular-projection piece. When assembling the pole piece, first, the permanent magnet for reduction of magnetic flux leakage is fixed on the outside surface of each annular-projection piece. At this time, the permanent magnet is slid on the flat outside surface of the annular-projection piece, to a desired position on the annular-projection piece, and then fixed. Each of the annular-projection pieces mounted with the permanent magnet is fixed on a base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Neomax Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Aoki, Tsuyoshi Tsuzaki
  • Patent number: 6784777
    Abstract: An induction apparatus includes a winding arrangement having a winding start and a winding end for inducing a magnetic field in a magnetizable core; and a lossy, magnetizable device through which and/or about which the winding start and the winding end of the winding arrangement is so disposed as to induce a magnetic flux in the magnetizable device. This arrangement prevents an electric breakdown at the star point of winding strands of synchronous motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Hamann, Bernd Segger
  • Patent number: 6784778
    Abstract: In a magnet coil arrangement having a wound coil former and having a metal housing surrounding the wound coil former, contact tabs are held in a plug-in base, one of which serves as a protective conductor connection. The contact tab serving as a protective conductor connection is held on the metal housing by a metallic connecting part. The free spaces between the wound coil former, the metal housing and the plug-in base are encapsulated with plastic. At the interfaces between the metal parts and plastic, moisture can enter the magnet coil arrangement. In order to prevent this moisture from getting into the connecting space, in which electric feed lines coming from the outside are connected to the contact tabs, in the area in which the connecting part engages in the contact tab, the contact tab serving as a protective conductor connection is arranged inside the plug-in base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Matthias Stitz, Achim Richartz
  • Patent number: 6784779
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inductor, which employs carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers synthesized in a shape of coils, so that the inductor has a high inductance even in a minute circuit of a nano-size or a micro-size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Koog Shin, Gyu Tae Kim, Hak Su Kim
  • Patent number: 6784780
    Abstract: A coupling adjusting structure for a double-tuned circuit contains first and second coils that are configured such that a pair of first conductive patterns formed on a first surface of a printed circuit and a corresponding pair of second conductive patterns formed on a second surface of the printed circuit board are connected via corresponding connecting conductors. One end of the first coil and the corresponding end of the second coil are disposed close to each other. A first ground conductive pattern is disposed at least on the first surface of the printed circuit. A first jumper connected to the first ground conductive pattern is disposed between the first and second coils to adjust an inductive coupling of the double-tuned circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Osada
  • Patent number: 6784781
    Abstract: An improved reactor and ballast system is provided. The reactor includes a core having an I portion and a rolled portion which forms a core opening, a coil having an electrically insulated coil opening through which the I portion extends, and a spacer between the I portion and an edge of the rolled portion of the core. A portion of the coil extends into the core opening. The ballast system includes a core having a plurality of I portions and a rolled portion which form one or more core openings, a plurality of coils, each coil having an electrically insulated coil opening through which one of the I portions extends, and a plurality of spacers between the I portions and a first edge of the rolled portion and between the I portions and a second edge of the rolled portion. A portion of each coil extends into a corresponding core opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Byron R. Collins, George E. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 6784782
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite magnetic body containing metallic magnetic powder and thermosetting resin and having a packing ratio of the metallic magnetic powder of 65 vol % to 90 vol % and an electrical resistivity of at least 104 &OHgr;·cm. When a coil is embedded in this composite magnetic body, a miniature magnetic element can be obtained that has a high inductance value and is excellent in DC bias characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Inoue, Junichi Kato, Nobuya Matsutani, Hiroshi Fujii, Takeshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6784783
    Abstract: A fused disconnect switch includes at least one switch housing assembly having a housing defining a fuse receptacle and first and second terminal contact assemblies extending therefrom. At least one of the first and second contact assemblies is a bullet contact assembly, and a retractable fuse is received within the fuse receptacle. The fuse includes a primary fuse link and an open fuse indication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: B. Heath Scoggin, Ronald Emil Mollet, Jaime Alberto Torrez
  • Patent number: 6784784
    Abstract: A door alarm system and a door lock assembly having an interior rose having a request to exit (REX) switch. The alarm system generates an open door alarm when a door into a secured area is open unless the REX switch generates a REX signal indicating that the door was opened by someone on the inside of the secured area. Mechanical isolation in the door lock assembly prevents a forcing movement on the outside of the door from causing a false generation of the REX signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Raymond E. Zehrung
  • Patent number: 6784785
    Abstract: A method of transmission between two elements chosen from a terminal and a transponder, each element including an oscillating circuit, a modulator and a demodulator, including simultaneously performing a transmission in amplitude modulation of a signal transmitted from a first to a second element and a transmission of a signal from the second to the first element adapted to being submitted to a phase demodulation in the latter, and wherein the amplitude modulation rate is smaller than 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Luc Wuidart, Michel Bardouillet, Jean-Pierre Enguent
  • Patent number: 6784786
    Abstract: A selective call messaging system delivers (602, 604, 606) a master message (324) addressed to a first group of subscriber units (102) and a corresponding records message (326) addressed to a second group of subscriber units. The records message comprises a record (514). A subscriber unit of the second group presents (736) a subscriber-customized group message (332) to a user. The subscriber-customized group message is formed (722, 726, 730, 734) from the master message and from at least one of the record, and local information (328) stored in the subscriber unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventor: Terence Edward Sumner
  • Patent number: 6784787
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a plurality of transponders in an interrogation involves transmitting an interrogation signal to the transponders and receiving, at a reader, response signals from the transponders. Each transponder period, and alters the maximum length of the waiting period during the interrogation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Catherall Atkins, Mario Alphonso Marais, Hendrik Van Zyl Smit
  • Patent number: 6784788
    Abstract: The universal electronic identification tag is for use with a variety of readers of different designs including a control reader which can be used to control the operations of the universal tag. A reader interrogates a tag by transmitting a carrier. The universal tag comprises a transducer, a modulator connected across the transducer, and a control means. The control means causes the modulator to drive the transducer with a plurality of different message waveforms after interrogation by a reader, the tag identity being embedded in each of the message waveforms. The message waveforms can be transmitted either simultaneously, sequentially, or both ways. A message waveform is comprised of a sequence of contiguous waveform segments, each waveform segment representing the value of an N-bit group, N being an integer. A waveform segment is a periodic signal characterized by the parameters frequency, phase, and amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Avid Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Beigel, Robert E. Malm
  • Patent number: 6784789
    Abstract: An RFID tag verifier includes an RF interrogator that transmits a first and second interrogation signal each having a first operational characteristic that differs from the other by a known amount. The RF interrogator receives a first and second return signal corresponding to the respective interrogation signals. A processor determines a response of the RFID tag as defined by a second operational characteristic of the first and second return signals. The verifier can determine the signal strength of the return signal for varying strengths of the interrogation signal. Typically, a flat response is desired Additionally, or alternatively, the verifier can determine the response in terms of signal strength of the response signals for interrogation signals having different frequencies. In some applications frequency selectivity may be desirable. Additionally, or alternatively, the verifier can determine the response in terms of frequency for interrogation signals having varying strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Kursat Eroglu, Patrick L. Helton, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 6784790
    Abstract: A transmitting controller is connected to a powerline and on command places a reference signal and a series of signal pulses in the powerline at a series of signal timing positions related to zero voltage crossing points so that the signals pulses are substantially in the powerline temporal quiet zone. The receiving controller is connected to the powerline and has a filter circuit therein which filters away the powerline AC signal and noise to leave the reference and signal pulses. The signal pulses are compared to the position of starting reference pulses to determine in which signal timing position the pulses have occurred. Digital data is communicated over the powerline in accordance with the nature placement of the data pulses related to the reference pulse positions. The timing zone for transmission and signals is preferably about 500 to about 1000 microseconds away from zero voltage crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Marshall E. Lester
  • Patent number: 6784791
    Abstract: A collision warning and countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (10) includes a velocity sensor (18) that generates a vehicle velocity signal. A multi-mode object detection sensor (28) generates an object detection signal. The multi-mode object detection sensor (28) operates in a detection mode in response to the vehicle velocity signal. A controller (26) is electrically coupled to the velocity sensor (18) and the multi-mode object detection sensor (28) and generates a countermeasure signal in response to the object detection signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Gary Steven Strumolo, Robert Kwiecinski
  • Patent number: 6784792
    Abstract: A method of deciding with a high reliability whether an impact with the front side of a vehicle has been caused by a pedestrian is described. Two decision criteria are formed, and only if both decision criteria are met is it decided an impact with a pedestrian has occurred. The first decision criterion is determined by the fact that the pressures or deformations measured by a sensor on the bumper and a sensor in the area of the front edge of the engine hood are compared with reference quantities typical of impact with a pedestrian. The second decision criterion is determined by the fact that the changes in velocity and/or acceleration of the vehicle caused by an impact are determined, and then the changes in velocity and/or acceleration are compared with reference quantities which are typical of impact with a pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Mattes, Gottfried Flik
  • Patent number: 6784793
    Abstract: A vibration monitor is mounted on a vehicle for monitoring vibrations in the axles and wheels of the vehicle which may indicate some type of failure associated with the wheels. The monitor includes sensors mounted on the axles which are connected to a control box for disabling the vehicle in response to receipt of a vibration signal from the sensors. The control box is arranged to vent the air brake circuit of the truck for applying the brakes of the truck if the control box receives a vibration signal from the sensors having a magnitude which exceeds an acceleration threshold and a duration which exceeds a time threshold determined by the control box. In one embodiment, electrical acceleration sensors are provided which transmit the vibration signals to the control box using an intermittent RF signal having a unique identification signal for indicating which sensor has recorded each vibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Allain Gagnon
  • Patent number: 6784794
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a spare tire of a vehicle (10) includes an indicator (52) and a timer (44) that generates a first time signal corresponding to the time the spare tire is used as a rolling tire and a second time signal corresponding to a time the spare tire is stowed. The temperature sensor (34) generates a temperature profile and a controller (22) that is coupled to the indicator, the timer, and the temperature sensor generates a spare tire warning signal in response to the temperature profile, the first time signal, and the second time signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael McQuade, Thomas Lee Miller
  • Patent number: 6784795
    Abstract: A brake and signal light system for use with a vehicle, such as a motorcycle and a helmet worn by a rider of the motorcycle. The system includes a transmitter mounted to the vehicle and electrically connected to the signaling circuitry of the vehicle for broadcasting a coded radio signal in response to a current passing through the signaling circuitry of the vehicle. A flexible housing is mounted the helmet and contains a receiver and at least one light source. The receiver receives the radio signal and at least one light source is illuminated indicating the state of the vehicle's signaling circuitry. The housing assembly includes a central portion, at least one left segmented housing, and at least one right segmented housing. A flexible back member flexibly connects the left and right segmented housing to the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Mar-Bruc, Inc.
    Inventors: Muriel Pories, John Dent, Marcus Escobosa
  • Patent number: 6784796
    Abstract: One or more magnets are placed in a container (preferably on objects inside the container) and the magnetic field strength and vector direction are measured with a magnetometer from at least one location near the container to provide the container with a magnetic vector field tag and seal. The location(s) of the magnetometer relative to the container are also noted. If the position of any magnet inside the container changes, then the measured vector fields at the these locations also change, indicating that the tag has been removed, the seal has broken, and therefore that the container and objects inside may have been tampered with. A hollow wheel with magnets inside may also provide a similar magnetic vector field tag and seal. As the wheel turns, the magnets tumble randomly inside, removing the tag and breaking the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Califronia
    Inventors: Roger G. Johnston, Anthony R. E. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6784797
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor patients the presence and absence of a patient from a bed, chair, etc. The preferred environment in which the instant invention would be used would be a hospital or other care giving facility, wherein patients who are at risk of falling might left unattended while they are seated or lying. According to a first aspect of the instant invention, a microprocessor-based patient monitor is disclosed which includes a loudspeaker that emits alarms synthesized by the microprocessor. The microprocessor synthesizes any one of multiple alarm sounds under software control and activates and deactivates the alarm in response to the electronic signals received from an attached sensor and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Bed-Check Corporation
    Inventors: Toby E. Smith, Craig L. Cooper, Fred H. Holmes, Patrick W. Lovely
  • Patent number: 6784798
    Abstract: Due to the presence of various environmental condition detectors in the home and businesses such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas detectors, etc., each having individual but similar sounding alarm patterns, it can be difficult for occupants of such dwellings to immediately determine the specific type of environmental condition that exists during an alarm condition. The present invention comprises an environmental condition detector using both tonal pattern alarms and pre-recorded voice messages to indicate information about the environmental condition being sensed. Single-station battery-powered and 120VAC detectors are described as are multiple-station interconnected 120VAC powered detectors. The pre-recorded voice messages describe the type of environmental condition detected or the location of the environmental condition detector sensing the condition, or both, in addition to the tonal pattern alarm. Provisions are made for multi-lingual pre-recorded voice messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Gary Jay Morris
  • Patent number: 6784799
    Abstract: A tension meter and wrench arrangement is constructed to includes a resistance type tension meter and an integrated device installed in a wrench, the integrated device providing a voltage output corresponding to the variation of resistance detected by the tension meter and converting the voltage output into digital signal for display through a display screen, the wrench having a sliding sleeve adapted for protecting the integrated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
  • Patent number: 6784800
    Abstract: A system for enhancing safe operation of industrial vehicles includes at least one of three sets of sensors for detecting pedestrians in zones and providing appropriate responses. Zone 1 includes a two to four foot region around a stationary vehicle which might include personnel who had recently been conversing with the vehicle's operator. Zone 2 extends from 2 to 6 feet from the vehicle and personnel entering Zone 2 will cause the vehicle's horn to sound to prevent their walking into the side of the vehicle. Zone 3 comprises hidden danger zones where personnel may enter a region where an industrial vehicle from outside the area and be unaware of the vehicle's presence. Motion detectors associated with Zone 3 cause activation of an RF tag that reflects a radio signal transmitted by the vehicle. The sounding of the horn will notify both the pedestrian and the vehicle's operator of the potential danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Signal Tech
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Orzechowski
  • Patent number: 6784801
    Abstract: An electric appliance monitoring system that can report an operational state of an electric appliance includes a monitoring part and a transmission part. The monitoring part monitors the operational state of the electric appliance and outputs a detection signal to the transmission part. The transmission part transmits a signal corresponding to the detection signal output from the monitoring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroomi Watanabe, Shigeki Fujii
  • Patent number: 6784802
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring connectivity in a cable system includes radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders on cable ends and RFID sensors at connection points. The RFID sensors are connected to a central monitoring system. Presence of a particular cable end at a particular connection point is detected and recorded by the central monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Nordx/CDT, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Stanescu
  • Patent number: 6784803
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring and detecting seat belt usage, having an enforcement device with an enforcement circuit board and a vehicle device with a vehicle circuit board. Each of the enforcement circuit board and the vehicle circuit board has a transformer and a receiver and a pair of antennas for transmitting and receiving a first signal and a return signal. The enforcement device and the vehicle device communicate a properly fastened state or an improperly fastened state for a seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Seatbelt Safety First--LLC
    Inventors: George E. Hypke, Robert R. Walker