Computime Ltd.

Mattel, Inc.

Chung Ming Cheng

William Willett

Chun Wing Wong

Wai-Leung Ha

Ho Sin Vincent Chan

Kairy Kei Lei

Chung Wing Wong

The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for restricting access to a control unit in an environmental system based on a lock level. The control unit (e.g., a thermostat) is configured with a selected lock level, where each lock level is mapped to an associated set of features. A user is able to access any of the features from the associated set of features without entering a security sequence. Also, a feature parameter may be restricted in accordance with the activated lock level. The control unit may be reconfigured with a different lock level by an administrator only when a security sequence is entered. Also, features may be mapped by an administrator to a set of features when the control unit is operating in the locked state. When the control unit is operating in the unlocked state, all supported features can be accessed by a user.

Adjustable feature access for a controlled environmental system

A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a right turning member that supports a right steerable road wheel and a left turning member that supports a left steerable road wheel. A rigid steering link extends across the chassis and has right and left ends that are operably connected to the right and left turning members. An actuator provides a pivoting motion on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally forward and rearward in the vehicle. The motion provided by the actuator moves the steering link side to side across the vehicle. The right and left road wheels are pivoted by the motion of the steering link. An adjustable trim mechanism includes a bias member that helps to maintain a neutral position of the steering link and a trim adjustment that modifies a position on the chassis at which the steering link and road wheels are maintained in the neutral position.

Trim adjustment for toy vehicle steering

The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for controlling the brightness of a display unit based on detected movement of an external object such as a user. An apparatus includes a display, e.g., a color liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED). A proximity circuit generates a transmitted signal and a received signal. The received signal results from the transmitted signal being reflected by an external object. A control unit processes the received signal to determine a degree of motion of the external object. When the degree of motion is greater than a first predetermined threshold but not greater than a second predetermined threshold, the display is activated and operating at partial intensity. When the degree of motion is greater than the second predetermined threshold, the display is activated at full intensity. The degree of motion may be determined from the variation of the received signal.

Automatic display unit activation

The present invention provides apparatuses and systems for adjusting a communication channel between a control unit and a remote sensor. A system may include a control unit that controls an environmental unit and a remote sensor that provides data about an environmental factor as measured at the remote sensor. The remote sensor transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that conveys the data to control unit through a directional antenna. The RF signal is received by the control unit through an omnidirectional antenna, and a signal strength parameter is determined from the received RF signal. A signal strength indication unit provides an indication from the signal strength parameter as a user adjusts the position of the directional antenna. With embodiments of the invention, a signal strength module generates an audio signal in accordance with an audio characteristic, which is indicative of the signal strength of the received RF signal.

Adjusting a communications channel between control unit and remote sensor

The present invention controls a room temperature by controlling an environmental control unit. A total span about a setpoint temperature is adjusted in accordance with a previous total span and a multiplicative factor. The multiplicative factor is periodically updated from a desired cycle time and a previous cycle time. The room temperature may also be controlled by adjusting a duty cycle for controlling an environmental control unit. The duty cycle is adjusted based on an error associated with a previous control cycle and an attenuation factor. A new control cycle may be started by cutting the previous control cycle or a current control cycle may be extended if a predetermined condition is detected. The control mode is selected based on environmental characteristics and room characteristics. The control mode may include a span control mode and a duty cycle control mode that is selected from the cycle rate.

Growing community of inventors

Hong Kong, China

Chung Ming Cheng