Patents Issued in June 19, 2007
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Voltage-controlled oscillators with controlled operating range and related bias circuits and methods
Patent number: 7233214Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator includes a bias circuit and a delay circuit. The bias circuit may generate a bias voltage signal pair having levels that are based on the voltage level of an input voltage signal and that are constrained by the values of a maximum current signal and a minimum current signal that are generated in the bias circuit. The delay circuit generates an output signal having a frequency that varies in response to the bias voltage signal pair. Because an operating frequency range of a voltage-controlled oscillator VCO is limited by a bias circuit, the VCO can operate with reduced gain and can limit the maximum operating frequency to a predetermined level. The VCO may also include a PTAT current generator in the bias circuit which can allow the VCO to compensate for variations of the VCO output frequency based on temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Woo-Seok Kim, Ju-Hyung Kim -
Patent number: 7233215Abstract: The frequency modulation circuit includes: a phase shift section for receiving a multiphase clock signal composed of a plurality of clock signals having a predetermined phase difference therebetween and shifting the phase of the multiphase clock signal; a clock selection section for selecting a clock signal constituting the multiphase clock signal output from the phase shift section; and a modulation control section for controlling the phase shift section and the clock selection section so that a clock signal having a frequency different from the frequency of the multiphase clock signal input into the phase shift section is output from the clock selection section.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ebuchi, Takefumi Yoshikawa, Yukio Arima
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Patent number: 7233216Abstract: The present invention provides a line transition and a method for manufacturing the same. The line transition is constructed such that a planar circuit can be arranged in the direction parallel to the propagation direction of electromagnetic waves propagating through a solid waveguide, the coupling characteristics of the solid waveguide with the planar circuit formed on a dielectric substrate are not influenced by the assembly precision of the waveguide and the circuit, and the line transition characteristics are not affected by a variation in manufacturing the dielectric substrate. Notches are formed at the edges of the dielectric substrate in the vicinities of coupled-line pattern segments formed on a dielectric substrate. The notches are formed by punching through holes in a ceramic green sheet serving as a motherboard, firing the motherboard, and cutting the motherboard using dicing lines passing through the through holes.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takatoshi Kato, Atsushi Saitoh
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Patent number: 7233217Abstract: A phase shifter adjusts the phase between two segments of an RF feed line that are fed with the phase shifter. Specifically, the phase shifter adjusts the phase between two signals in RF feed line segments by changing the electrical path lengths that RF energy travels down in each respective RF feed line. The phase shifter includes a coupling arm, a key, a spring, and a support architecture that fastens the phase shifter to a substantially planar surface. The support architecture is rotated manually or with a machine such as a motor. The coupling arm can include a coupling ring, a wiper element, a support trace, and a dielectric spacer. The phase shifting system is a relatively compact structure having a predetermined value of capacitance maintained between a coupling ring disposed on the coupling arm and a coupling ring disposed on a planar surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Andrew CorporationInventors: Sara Phillips, Jacob Alaburda, Douglas E. Dawson
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Patent number: 7233218Abstract: An air-gap type film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) is created by securing two substrate parts, one providing a resonance structure and the other providing a separation structure, i.e., a cavity. When the two substrate parts are secured, the resonance structure is over the cavity, forming an air gap isolating the resonant structure from the support substrate. The FBAR may be used to form a duplexer, which includes a plurality of resonance structures, a corresponding plurality of cavities, and an isolation part formed between the cavities. The separate creation of the resonance structures and the cavities both simplifies processing and allows additional elements to be readily integrated in the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yun-kwon Park, In-sang Song, Byeoung-ju Ha, Il-jong Song, Duck-hwan Kim
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Patent number: 7233219Abstract: A balanced filter includes a package having an input ground metal pattern and an output ground metal pattern, and a filter chip having an inphase filter and an antiphase filter, which filters are mounted on the package, at least one of the inphase and antiphase filters having an input ground terminal connected to the input ground metal pattern and an output ground terminal connected to the output ground metal pattern, the input and output ground terminals of said at least one of the inphase and antiphase filters being separate from each other on the filter chip.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignees: Fujitsu Media Devices Limited, Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Shogo Inoue, Motoyuki Tajima, Takayuki Yamaji, Yasufumi Kaneda, Osamu Kawachi, Masanori Ueda
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Patent number: 7233220Abstract: The electrical switching device comprises at least a first part comprising at least a first magnetizable element and a first contact zone associated with said first magnetizable element, and at least a second movable part comprising at least a second magnetic element and a second contact zone associated with said second magnetic element. The first or second magnetic element comprises at least one permanent magnetization part to keep the first electrical contact closed and to exert a contact pressure between the first and second contact zones when the movable part is in a first stable position. The electromagnetic relay and/or electrical apparatus comprise electrical contact inputs and control inputs connected to a switching device comprising electromagnetic control coils.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SASInventor: Pierre Batteux
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Patent number: 7233221Abstract: Specially conceived for vehicles which have to be displaced over ferromagnetic surfaces, like the iron or steel walls of large tanks for example, it is incorporated by the combination of a hollow rim (1–1?) and a tyre (4) of an elastomer or similar material, which define a cylindrical chamber (8) inside which a magnetic annulus (9) runs, materialized in a permanent magnet of adequate strength, with the particularity that said magnetic annulus (9) has a substantially smaller diameter than that of the cited chamber (8), so that it is capable of carrying out a planetary motion inside the same, maintaining a permanently tangential condition with the tyre (4) at the point in which the latter is in contact at all times with the ferromagnetic surface over which the vehicle is displaced, achieving maximum adherence at said point.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Applus Norcontrol, S.L. (Sociedad Unipersonal)Inventors: Oscar Reboredo Losada, Manuel Varela Rey
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Patent number: 7233222Abstract: An inductive power supply system for providing power to one or more inductively powered devices. The system includes a mechanism for varying the physical distance or the respective orientation between the primary coil and secondary coil to control the amount of power supplied to the inductively powered device. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inductive power supply system having a primary coil and a receptacle disposed within the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. One or more inductively powered devices are placed randomly within the receptacle to receive power inductively from the primary coil. The power supply circuit includes circuitry for adjusting the power supplied to the primary coil to optimize operation based on the position and cumulative characteristics of the inductively powered device(s) disposed within the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
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Patent number: 7233223Abstract: A Winding for high voltage transformer having a predetermined number of spaced winding groups joined to form a single winding transformer, each spaced winding group being solenoid wound from a predetermined number of turns. A method of forming the winding and a transformer including the winding are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Metal Manufactures LimitedInventor: Francis Anthony Darmann
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Patent number: 7233224Abstract: The invention relates to a component arrangement which has the following features: a semiconductor body (10), a dielectric layer (20) which is applied to one face of the semiconductor body (10), a planar transformer with a primary winding (40) and a secondary winding (30), which are isolated from one another by the dielectric layer (20) and are arranged at a distance from one another in a vertical direction with respect to the one face of the semiconductor body, a first planar winding section (31) and a second planar winding section (32) of the secondary winding (30), which are arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction and are electrically conductively connected to one another, with a first connection (34) of the first winding section (31) forming a first connection of the secondary winding, and a first connection (36) of the second winding section (32) forming a second connection of the secondary winding.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Bernhard Strzalkowski, Martin Feldtkeller
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Patent number: 7233225Abstract: A planar type ferrite core having a rectangular shaped flat part, a pair of outside legs projecting out from two ends of the flat part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the flat part, and a center leg positioned between the pair of outside legs and projecting out from the flat part in the same direction as the outside legs, wherein the two ends of the center leg are formed with arc surfaces of a predetermined radius of curvature, and a length of the center leg in the longitudinal direction is at least 90% of a width of the flat part.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Hironori Sato
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Patent number: 7233226Abstract: A Platinum temperature sensor comprises a ceramic substrate and a platinum thin-film resistor applied to said ceramic substrate, a ceramic cover layer and a connecting layer generated from a ceramic green layer by pressure and temperature treatment. The ceramic cover layer is connected with the ceramic substrate in such a way via the connecting layer that the platinum thin-film resistor is sealingly encapsulated with regard to the environment.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Sensotherm Temperatursenorik GmbHInventor: Heinrich Zitzmann
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Patent number: 7233227Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system, includes in a passive relay enabling an electronic label (2) usually identified when proximate to a transponder (1) to be offset. The electronic label (2) is integrated in a reinforced casing. Communication between the label and the transponder (1) is set up via an antenna (4) proximate the transponder (1), an electric cable and a second antenna (5) proximate the label. The cable includes an electromechanical switch enabling a control switch (8) to interrupt or set up the radio link. The invention therefore provides a novel anti-theft system for which the installation is entirely reversible and having no damaging effect on the vehicle since it does not require disconnecting a vehicle cable and entails no splicing.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: EileoInventor: Thierry Lemoult
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Patent number: 7233228Abstract: An alerting system for use in generating an alert in respect of usage of a device, the alerting system including a detector capable of detecting an event that is indicative of usage of the device, the alerting system being arranged to invoke a selected alert state prior to the activation of a forthcoming said event by a user, the alert state being selectable from a plurality of different alert states, wherein each of the different alert states represents a different stage of elapsed time since a previous said event, and wherein the alerting system is arranged to select an alert state in dependence on the elapsed time.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Glaxo Group LimitedInventor: Daniel Thomas de Sausmarez Lintell
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Patent number: 7233229Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for providing actionable communication reminders. For example, an item representing an original communication is displayed and a command to set up a reminder to respond to the original communication is accepted. The reminder is set up and, at a later time, is displayed. An input mechanism that can be actuated to respond to the communication may be provided at the later time. As another example, a suggested time to display the reminder and suggested contact information for responding to the original communication are displayed while setting up a reminder.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Autumn L. Stroupe, David W. Flynt, Marc W. Todd
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Patent number: 7233230Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror system that has an interior reflective element, a drive circuit, a tire pressure monitoring system and a microcontroller. The drive circuit supplies a drive signal to the interior mirror reflective element, which assumes a partial reflectance level in response thereto. The tire pressure monitoring system includes a receiver for receiving signals indicative of vehicle tire pressure. The microcontroller controls at least in part the drive circuit and the tire pressure monitoring system, and may control at least one other vehicle function. The vehicular rearview mirror system may include a sound-processing system and the microcontroller may control at least in part the sound-processing system. The drive circuit may have one or more components in common with the tire pressure monitoring system, and the drive circuit and tire pressure monitoring system may be at least partially on a circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: John P Drummond, Niall R Lynam
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Patent number: 7233231Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel lock with a burglar-proof alarm device comprises a burglar-proof alarm circuit, A wireless signal detecting unit, an air pressure detecting unit; supersonic detecting unit for detecting movements of objects; an infrared receiver for receiving infrared signals from the portable alarm device. The wireless wave emitting unit includes a receiving antennal circuit, a high frequency amplifier, a band pass filter, a local oscillating circuit, a mixing circuit, a middle frequency circuit, and a second middle frequency IC; the receiving antenna circuit being for adjusting the harmonic receiving frequency for receiving high frequency signal, which is then passed through the high frequency amplifier, band pass filter, local oscillating circuit, and the mixing circuit; the local oscillator circuit having a baseband oscillating circuit, a nine-time amplifier circuit, a nine-time frequency modulating circuit for generating an oscillating frequency signal to the mixing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Chen-Kuei Hsieh
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Patent number: 7233232Abstract: The present invention is a portable multi-purpose universal serial bus (USB) structure, which refers to a storage unit that can be provided inside a casing and has a USB connector exposed out of one end of the casing. The casing can be a casing for a key, a vehicle anti-theft alarm, a controller of an electric roller gate, or a receiver of an entrance guard card, thereby avoiding the user from forgetting to carry said objects when going out and therefore from incurring any inconvenience.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Ying-Chung Chen
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Patent number: 7233233Abstract: A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus recognizes a pedestrian from existence of a leg, in the case in which a width in real space of a binarized object is suitable as a pedestrian's leg, the binarized object has longwise shape, the lower end position of the binarized object exists in the lower part (lower half) of a gray scale object region, and a serial luminance transition exists in the binarized object. The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus also recognizes a pedestrian from existence of an umbrella held up by the pedestrian, in the case in which an umbrella region with a low temperature exists above the binarized object, the width of the umbrella region is suitable as a pedestrian's umbrella, and, the spatial correlation between the centroid position of the umbrella region and the centroid position of the binarized object is suitable as a spatial relationship between a pedestrian and his/her umbrella.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fuminori Taniguchi, Nobuharu Nagaoka
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Patent number: 7233234Abstract: An airbag electrical control unit mounted in a vehicle includes a position detecting circuit that detects a current position of the vehicle; a computing circuit that computes impact that the vehicle undergoes using a signal from a sensor; and a notifying circuit that notifies a previously designated recipient of a notification data that includes the detected current information alone or both the detected current position and the computed impact. Here, a traveling mode that addresses a traveling-period trouble generated while the vehicle is traveling and a parking mode that addresses a parking-period trouble generated while the vehicle is being parked are switched into each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Shinji Ooyabu
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Patent number: 7233235Abstract: Method and devices for disabling detection of a safety system activation condition. One embodiment of the invention provides a method that includes disregarding information from a first set of sensors when detection of a safety system activation condition is disabled; determining if information from a second set of sensors in available; when information from a second set of sensors is not available, generating a warning signal; when information from the second set of sensors is available, determining a value of the information from the second set of sensors; and when the value of the information from the second set of sensors indicates that a vehicle is in use, enabling detection of the safety system activation condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: David L. Pavlish
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Patent number: 7233236Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) used for detecting lift of a wheel includes a speed sensor (20) coupled to the wheel producing a wheel speed signal and a torque control system (57) coupled to the wheel for generating an operating input torque to the wheel. A controller (26) is coupled to the torque control system (57) and the wheel speed sensor (20). The controller (26) determines a wheel response to the operating input torque and generates a wheel lift signal as a function of the operating input torque, the wheel speed signal and the wheel response.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown, Joseph Carr Meyers
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Patent number: 7233237Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the physical integrity of a tire. The system and method include measuring a signal proportional to the speed of rotation of the wheel and calculating a harmonic signal of the round of wheel (e.g., equal to the energies of the harmonics of this signal), then comparing the result with a threshold and activating an alarm when over-passing this threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Dufournier Technologies SASInventor: Arnaud Dufournier
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Patent number: 7233238Abstract: A tire air-pressure alarming device includes wheel speed sensors for detecting wheel speeds of wheels of a motor vehicle and also includes a microcomputer-base control device and an alarming unit. The control device is programmed to execute function steps of: deriving a decision value based on the wheel speeds detected by the wheel speed sensors; judging the occurrence of air-pressure drop of the tires constituting wheels, based on the decision value; and outputting a command when the occurrence of the air-pressure drop of the tires is judged. The alarming unit is responsive to the command from the control device thereby to raise an alarm indicating the occurrence of the air-pressure drop of the tire. The tires are monitored by the tire air-pressure alarming device, wherein the control device is also programmed to execute a function step of standardizing the speed dependency of a rolling radius of the tires thereby to standardize the performance in judging the air-pressure drop of the tires.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignees: Advics Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Motoshi Suzuki, Hidenori Kajino, Minao Yanase
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Patent number: 7233239Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an improperly installed auxiliary child seat of the type that is secured in a motor vehicle by the seatbelt, and providing an alert to a vehicle operator in the case of improper installation. A seat occupancy sensor, a seatbelt buckle condition sensor, and a seatbelt tension sensor provides electrical signals to a child seat detection module, which determines that an improper installation condition exists if the auxiliary child seat is present and the seatbelt buckle is unfastened. The child seat detection module further determines an improper installation condition if the auxiliary child seat is present, the seatbelt buckle is fastened, and the seatbelt tautness is not within an acceptable range. If an improper installation condition is detected, the child seat detection module triggers an alerting device, such as a warning light on the instrument panel or audible chime.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Janak Chitalia, Joseph Brown, Chris Bujak
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Patent number: 7233240Abstract: A system includes a global positioning system that tracks and monitors the school and daycare transportation, a plurality of barcode scanners which enter the children into the system and a plurality of barcode bracelets, with a barcode bracelet provided to each of the children that is scanned with the plurality of barcode scanners when a child is entering onto and coming off of the school and daycare transportation. There is also a plurality of school stations that enter and remove the drivers from the system and a central control center that constantly monitors the plurality of school stations and the global positioning system, the plurality of barcode scanners and the plurality of barcode bracelets.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Barbara N. Phillips
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Patent number: 7233241Abstract: A low product stock display system for detecting at least one of fully stocked, partially stocked, and empty (no stock) shelf has been described. The presence/absence of stock can be detected by conductive contact sensors, inductance sensors, weight sensors, optical sensors, and, in the preferred embodiment, with an RF transmission line. The data from a sensor is wirelessly relayed to an external server for processing across a plurality of facilities, and can provide alerts to personnel or systems responsible for reordering or restocking the particular shelf or display at the facility.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Goliath Solutions, LLCInventors: Gary L. Overhultz, Gordon E. Hardman, John W. Pyne
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Patent number: 7233242Abstract: A transmit antenna (3) is supplied with energy by a power supply unit (2). An electrical value characteristic for the transmit power is compared to a comparison value and the length of a time interval is measured in which the characteristic value at least reaches or exceeds the comparison value. Depending on the length of this time interval the transmit power is set.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Mark Elliott, Matthias Münch, Wolfgang Reiml, Dieter Sass
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Patent number: 7233243Abstract: Method of ingress or egress intrusion detection by ultrasound surveillance throughout volumetric multi-area room around a protected object, where the surveyed room is arranged in juxtaposed volumetric closed or open areas that represent central, short-range and long-range echelons of defense-in-depth intrusion protection infrastructure. The used techniques of ultrasound intrusion detection are based on the phenomena of reflection, refraction by edge diffraction, and interference by shadowing of ultrasonic beams. The ultrasonic beam patterns are closely disposed in 2-D curvilinear or polygonal array, or in 3-D curved surface lattice over multilevel substantial openwork frames of different echelons. The informational and processing inter-echelon interrelation is being treated by control software algorithm that features situational logic transition driven by IF-THEN operator.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: CTRL Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Henry Roche, Vadym Buyalsky, Vladimir Herman
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Patent number: 7233244Abstract: The invention relates to an alarm and control system for at least one switch cabinet that can be opened and closed by an operator. Said switch cabinet comprises an electroactuated locking unit (17) for locking and releasing its door lock and a plurality of modules (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) that are interlinked via a data-exchange data bus (11) and that comprise respective signal-processing microprocessors. Said modules have a closed scope of functions, independently process the signals supplied to them and emit a decision signal as the result of processing.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rainer Hoffmann
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Patent number: 7233245Abstract: A system for using a separate fixed or massive object to prevent theft of a motorcycle, the system comprising a frame element including a hollow enclosure having a wall with an orifice therethrough; a reel rotatably mounted in the enclosure; a flexible electrically conductive sheathed cable with a proximal end wound onto the reel and a distal end with a male connector; a control mechanism having an alarm mechanism, a female connector, circuitry to connect the female connector to the proximal end of the cable, to detect presence or absence of continuity between the proximal end and distal end of the cable, and to cause the alarm mechanism to be activated when continuity between the proximal end and distal end of the cable is broken; a locking mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the male connector is prevented from being withdrawn from the female connector, and an unlocked configuration wherein the male connector is allowed to be withdrawn from the female connector; and a power source structured toType: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Daniel W. O'Neill
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Patent number: 7233246Abstract: A hard cover product having an outer liner attached to a pair of sheet members disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap. One of the hard sheet members defines a receiving zone that receives a security tag. An inner liner attaches overlying the pair of hard sheet members and concealing the security tag within the receiving zone. The gap between the pair of sheet members defines a spine for the hard cover product, whereby the opposing hard sheets defining a front cover and back cover that move together foldably.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Smartguard, LLCInventor: Dale Hunt Nichols, Sr.
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Patent number: 7233247Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). An RFID base unit is provided that can communicate with at least two different types of RFID tags that are commercially available. Additionally, the RFID base unit can communicate with any number of devices, including but not limited to computer networks, which allow for dynamic access and updates to tailor the RFID base unit for virtually any situation. Particularly, the RFID base unit would be useful in safety and/or security applications to enable and disable automated devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: SAVR Communication Inc.Inventors: Adam Crossno, Viswanath Puttagunta, Ravi Kumar Viswaraju
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Patent number: 7233249Abstract: A glass-coated amorphous metallic microwire is encoded with multi-bit digital information. Encoding is achieved magnetically, optically or through a combination of magnetic and optical encoding processes. Magnetic encoding is carried out by modifying the constituent magnetic domain structure through selective relief of interfacial stress between the glass coating and the amorphous metallic alloy core. It is also achieved by selective surface crystallization of the amorphous metallic core in order to produce a controlled magnetic bias field. Optical encoding is associated with the glass coating. It is readily achieved by fluorescent element deposition, patterned removal of fluorescent element coating, Bragg grating, and thermally activated pattern deposition. The magnetic and optical multi-bit encoding approaches for glass-coated amorphous metallic microwire can be used individually or collectively in either a redundant or a complementary manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Demodulation, Inc.Inventors: Howard H. Liebermann, William C. LaCourse, Alexis G. Clare, Wesley A. King, James E. O'Keefe, Jr.
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Patent number: 7233250Abstract: An RFID device includes a chip, an antenna operatively coupled to the chip, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the chip. The visual indicator provides a visual indication of an operative state of the device. The visual indication may be human readable and/or machine readable, and may provide visual indication that is dependent on a change in an operative state of the device. The operative state that triggers the visual indication may include a state in which the chip has temporarily or permanently been rendered inoperative or disabled, that is, in which the chip no longer responds to, or otherwise interacts with, ordinary incoming RF signals such as from a device reader. The visual indicator may be included in a display that functions by any of a variety of suitable mechanisms, such as by use of electrochromic materials, thermochromic materials, liquid crystals, or chemically-reactive materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventor: Ian J. Forster
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Patent number: 7233251Abstract: A device (10) for detecting the presence of light averse insects, such as termites, is in the form of a peg (11) having a cavity (14) into which termites may enter when the peg is installed in the ground or other area where the presence of termites is to be detected. The cavity may include a termite bait. A light sensor (25) is located in the cavity, and has an output which is responsive to the detection of light. The light sensor operatively receives light from a light emitting device (LED) (23) only through a narrow passage extending through the peg from the LED (23) to the cavity (14). The passage is adapted to be at least partially blocked by the light averse insects to shield the cavity, and hence the light sensor means, from light from the passage. When the light sensor means (25) does not detect sufficient light, an electrical circuit (22) connected to the output of the light sensor means triggers an alarm light (26) to signal an alarm or alert condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Mark Robert Lewis
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Patent number: 7233252Abstract: Method of monitoring water conservation in an apartment complex by positioning infrared cameras with motion sensors in the clean outs of the waste water discharge lines leading to public sewer systems wherein each camera image is displayed on a computer screen and the motion sensors, which start and stop the digital video recorders (DVR), are adjusted by circumscribing the area of the camera image and the pixel sensitivity setting for motion sensors activation, which triggers the DVR recordings. In this arrangement the intermittent or constant flow of waste water is detected in real time indicating normal or abnormal flow of waste water, respectively. Further, an infrared camera may be positioned on the apartment complex side of the water meter to determine in real time if water is being supplied to the complex and the waste water flow out is little or none then loss of water outside the plumbing system from overflowing commodes, tubs, lavatories or broken pipe is indicated.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Greg Hardin
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Patent number: 7233253Abstract: A smoke detector includes a smoke detection chamber containing a white light LED and a light detector. The light detector detects light within at least two distinct optical wavelength bands, and generates respective signals indicative of the intensities of the detected light. An analyzer determines, based on the measured light intensities of the different wavelength bands, whether a dangerous smoke/fire condition is present.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: SimplexGrinnell LPInventor: James R. Qualey, III
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Patent number: 7233254Abstract: A lowered smoke detector is disclosed. It comprises a sensor and a mounting system. The mounting system includes a frame, a securing device, a reel, a flexible member, a mounting adaptor, an activator, and a cover. The frame is mounted to the wall with the securing device to the wall. The reel with the flexible member wound about it and the activator hanging down is attached to the frame. The sensor is mounted to flexible member via mounting adaptor and hooks. Finally, the cover fits over the frame to complete the assembly. The operator pulls the activator in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to lower or raise the sensor between a raised position for operation and a lowered position for servicing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Byron H. Howell
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Patent number: 7233255Abstract: An indicating instrument includes an indicating needle provided in an instrument board, a stopper device to define a turning start position and a returning position of the indicating needle, a stepping motor for driving the indicating needle, and a control device to control the stepping motor; the control device outputs a zero reset signal for returning the indicating needle to the stopper device and a signal for moving the indicating needle away from the stopper device to the stepping motor when the stepping motor is turned on or turned off to carry out a missed step reset processing.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventor: Takeshi Baba
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Patent number: 7233256Abstract: Activation system includes a reception device for receiving an activation signal (SIGA), and an activation circuit (4) for activating an electric circuit (5). A pyroelectric element (3) is connected to the reception device (1) and to the activation circuit (4). The pyroelectric element can be heated by the activation signal (SIGA) in such a way that a voltage high enough to actuate the activation circuit (4) is produced in the pyroelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Schmidt, Martin Vossiek
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Patent number: 7233257Abstract: An instrument for generating a signal to activate or terminate electronic equipment from a remote location through a responsive sensor including an elongated rigid support formation with a switching device at one end and a signal emitting component mounted at the other end with the switching device and signal emitting component linked so that upon activation of the switching device a signal is generated in the direction established by the elongated support formation.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Edward J. Wronski
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Patent number: 7233258Abstract: A system is employed to provide a substantially constant intensity light source via functional circuitry, the functional circuitry comprises a switching power supply. At least one signal is part of a matrix of LEDs connected in series and parallel and configured for redundancy. A monitoring circuit comprises a current sense circuit, wherein the current sense circuit includes an amplifier and at least one resistor in series with the amplifier. The current sense circuit includes a power converter circuit that senses a current of a flyback diode, recovers a dc component of a waveform via a low pass filter, and provides feedback control of the at least one signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: GELcore LLCInventor: Reynaid Gelinas
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Patent number: 7233259Abstract: The present invention provides a traffic control sign assembly that comprises a sign having a central opening. Control consoles are positioned on opposite sides of the sign in centered relation to the central opening and are connected to one another and to the sign. A two-sided bread board type LED light panel is mounted in the central opening within the control consoles with light-diffusing panels mounted over the LED light panel. A power source is connected to the LED light panel. A first silk screen with legend “STOP” and a second silk screen with legend “STOP” or “SLOW” is located on the back of each of the light-diffusing panels in alignment with the LED light panel. Switch means for turning said power source “ON” in a holding or a flashing mode or “OFF” is provided. A handle assembly is secured to the sign.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventors: Thomas W. Gibson, Todd M. Gibson
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Patent number: 7233260Abstract: An improved electronic toll collection system having two lane-based antennas per laneway. The antennas include an overhead antenna and a side mount antenna. The side mount antenna is disposed so as to communicate especially with license plate transponders. The two antennas are coupled to a transaction processing system for conducting toll transaction communications with a vehicle-mounted transponder through one of the two antennas.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Mark IV Industries Corp.Inventors: Wai-Cheung Tang, Thua Van Ho
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Patent number: 7233261Abstract: A microwave frequency deflection cell analog to digital converter is provided. The phase velocity of an optical wave is effectively reduced to that of a microwave frequency electro-magnetic signal in an optical deflector. The electro-optic effect is used for a controlled deflection of an optical beam. The angle of beam deflection varies in accordance with an applied voltage, which may be a signal in the microwave frequency range. A device of the invention includes a birefringent crystal having transmission line conductors arranged to create an electric field in the crystal in response to an applied voltage, and mirrors arranged to create a multi-bounce path through the crystal for a light beam directed into the crystal on an entrance path that is non parallel to the mirrors. The multi-bounce path effectively slows the velocity of the optical wave to that of the voltage wave, permitting deflection or modulation of the beam by microwave frequency electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: William Nunnally, John Gahl, Timothy Renkoski
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Patent number: 7233262Abstract: A magnetizing jig used in cooperation with a magnetizing yoke formed with a circular magnetizing face, for fixing a ring-like magnetic encoder base plate to be magnetized thereto and magnetizing it by exciting a multi-pole magnetizing coil provided on the magnetizing yoke. The magnetizing yoke has holding portion to which the magnetic encoder base plate is concentrically held so as to face the circular magnetizing face, whereas the magnetizing jig is incorporated into the magnetizing yoke, keeping a predetermined positional relation which is in advance deviated from the center of the magnetizing yoke so as to correspond to the positional deviation amount between the arrangement center of the multi-pole magnetizing coil and the center of the magnetizing yoke.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp.Inventor: Masanori Tomioka
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Patent number: 7233263Abstract: A system and method for allocation of actuators is provided. Electrodes having several voltages are assigned to actuators within correlation regions of the actuators. By varying the voltages, a desired actuation profile for the actuators may be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Warren B. Jackson, David Kalman Biegelsen, Markus Peter Johannes Fromherz
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Patent number: 7233264Abstract: An encoder uses an input file of data and a key to produce an output symbol. An output symbol with key I is generated by determining a weight, W(I), for the output symbol to be generated, selecting W(I) of the input symbols associated with the output symbol according to a function of I, and generating the output symbol's value B(I) from a predetermined value function F(I) of the selected W(I) input symbols. An encoder can be called repeatedly to generate multiple output symbols. The output symbols are generally independent of each other, and an unbounded number (subject to the resolution of I) can be generated, if needed. A decoder receives some or all of the output symbols generated. The number of output symbols needed to decode an input file is equal to, or slightly greater than, the number of input symbols comprising the file, assuming that input symbols and output symbols represent the same number of bits of data.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Digital Fountain, Inc.Inventor: Michael G. Luby