Dimango Products Corporation

Other

Ensure Technologies, Inc.

The Lamson & Sessions Co.

Audio Alert, LLC

Imra America, Inc.

Thomas G Xydis

Paul G Angott

Peter A Hochstein

Jeffrey Tenenbaum

Gregory G Kilby

James T Theodoras, Ii

Robert Clarke

Bob Demick

A method allows access to an electronic device disposed in a working space by a user having a remote device is disclosed. An access point transmits an initial signal instructing the remote device to respond after a delay period, which responds upon the expiration of the delay period. A distance of the remote device is determined based upon a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of a response signal and the known positions of the access point and the electronic device. Alternatively, a fixed device transmits locating signals detected by three access points, which measure a time differential. The position of the remote device is determined based upon a time of arrival, the location of each of the access points, and the time differential. The electronic device is enabled when the remote device is within the predetermined distance range.

Method of allowing access to an electronic device

A method and system () for directing relief to individuals () requiring emergency assistance includes each individual in a building () carrying a respective transponder (). The transponders transmit a wireless emergency signal in response to actuation by an individual. A communication link () such as a local area network (LAN) runs throughout the building. Transceivers () located at known locations are connected to the link. Each transceiver has a unique identification and wirelessly receives an emergency signal transmitted by a transponder located within the vicinity of the transceiver. Each transceiver transmits the received emergency signal along with the unique transceiver identification to a controller () via the link. The controller processes a received emergency signal to determine the location of the individual requiring emergency assistance based on the unique identifications of the transceivers transmitting the emergency signal. The controller directs relief () to the determined location of the individual.

Monitoring method and system

The subject invention provides a method to determine the proximity of a user ( ) having a first electronic device ( ) to a second electronic device ( ) for allowing the user ( ) access to the second electronic device ( ). The method includes the steps of transmuting data ( ) in a plurality of signals at different frequencies to establish communication between the first electronic device ( ) and the second electronic device ( ). The method further includes detecting the plurality of signals at the different frequencies with the first electronic device ( ). The method is characterized by determining an overall signal strength from the predetermined number of measured signals strengths and comparing the overall signals strength to a predetermined threshold for enabling the second electronic device ( ) in response to the overall signal strength being above the predetermined threshold. The subject invention allows for increased security for systems that communicate via frequency hopping spread spectrum by determining the overall signal strength from the measuring of multiple signals detected at different frequencies.

Method of securing access to a user having an enhanced security proximity token

A doorbell system having a sound memory for storing and playing a CD quality doorbell sound is disclosed. Said doorbell system includes a receiver unit for receiving an indication of a doorbell button being pressed, a code detector for commanding the sound memory to output stored sound signals and sound producing means for outputting a CD quality sound. Also disclosed is a method for storing a CD quality sound into a doorbell system.

CD quality wireless door chime

A security apparatus and a method for determining the distance between a computer ( ) and a token ( ) carried by a user ( ) for allowing the user ( ) to access the computer ( ). The computer ( ) is connected to a first transceiver ( ) having at least one antenna for emitting and detecting a radio frequency (RF) signal, and to a microphone ( ) for detecting an audio signal ( ). The computer ( ) is also connected to a counter ( ) for measuring a time interval ( ) between a transmitted RF signal ( ) and audio signal ( ) from the token ( ). The token ( ) is connected to a second transceiver ( ) having at least one antenna for emitting and detecting a RF signal ( ) and a loudspeaker ( ) for emitting an audio signal ( ). The method is characterized by comparing the measured time interval ( ) to a predetermined time range ( ) and enabling the computer ( ) in response to the time interval ( ) being within the predetermined time range ( ) such that the user ( ) may have access to the enabled computer ( ) and disabling the computer ( ) in response to the time interval ( ) being outside the predetermined time range ( ).

Method for allowing a user access to an electronic device having improved security

An apparatus for activating a doorbell chime and for remotely controlling an auxiliary doorbell chime includes a push button unit responsive to manual actuation for activating the doorbell chime and generating a radio frequency wave and a remote unit responsive to the radio frequency wave for generating an auxiliary acoustic frequency wave. The push button unit has a manually actuated switch assembly with a first pair of normally open switch contacts adapted to be connected in series with the doorbell chime and a source of electrical power and a second pair of normally open switch contacts, a radio frequency transmitter connected in series with the second pair of switch contacts for generating a radio frequency output signal and a first antenna connected to the transmitter and responsive to the radio frequency output signal for generating the radio frequency wave. The remote unit has a second antenna responsive to the radio frequency wave for generating a radio frequency input signal, a radio frequency receiver connected to the second antenna and responsive to the radio frequency input signal for generating a generator activation signal, and an acoustic generator connected to the receiver and responsive to the generator activation signal for generating the auxiliary acoustic frequency signal. The acoustic generator can be a speaker and the push button unit can include a power supply connected across the first pair of normally open switch contacts for receiving charging current and connected to power the radio frequency transmitter.

Apparatus for remotely controlling auxiliary doorbell chime from doorbell push button

An illumination level control assembly (,) includes a plurality of light bulbs (,), and a main power switch (,) for supplying electrical power to the bulbs (,). The assembly (,) includes a remote control (,) with a single button for producing a single signal, and a controller (,) responsive to the remote control (,) for sequentially and in numeric order changing the supply of electrical power to the bulbs (,), whereby successive actuations of the single button changes by one the number of bulbs (,) illuminated. The remote control (,) produces a radio frequency signal, and the controller (,) includes a radio frequency receiver (,) to receive signals from the remote control (,). The controller (,) includes a sequencer (,) for sequentially terminating electrical power to the bulbs (,) to successively terminate electric power to the bulbs (,) one at a time. The sequencer (,) includes a counter (,) for sequencing through predetermined steps, and a series of switches (,) each responsive to one of the steps for terminating electrical power to one of the bulbs (,). The assembly (,) can also include a plurality of fixtures (,) with each fixture (,) including a plurality of bulbs (,) and a plurality of ballasts (,) with each ballast (,) interconnecting two bulbs (,). Ballasts (,) from different fixtures (,) can be electrically connected to be controlled by the controller (,) in unison. In this configuration, each ballast (,) controls one bulb from each fixture (,).

Wireless lighting control

A programmable utility vehicle assembly,comprises a carriage,for moving over a plot, and a mobile transceiver,attached to the carriage,for transmitting a signal. The assembly,includes a power unit,for driving the carriage,over the plot, and a steering unit,for steering the carriage,over the plot. The assembly,further includes a plurality of locating stations,each having a stationary transceiver,for receiving a signal from the mobile transceiver,and transmitting a return signal to the mobile transceiver,. The assembly,is characterized by a central processing unit,(CPU) on the carriage,for preprogramming a desired vehicle path having a counter,for counting two way propagation time between the mobile transceiver,and said remote locating stations,to determine said vehicle location and guide said vehicle along the programmed path.

RF only guidance system

A method of controlling a computer (12) system (10) comprising the steps of: disposing a computer (12) in an operating space and placing the computer (12) in a lockout mode to prevent operation of the computer (12) software by a user. A database (26) of authorized user codes is compiled in the computer. A transponder (20) places a first authorized user code in the operating space and a transceiver (18) scans the operating space for the presence of a transponder transmitting an authorized user code and senses the presence of the first authorized user code in the operating space. A comparator (29) compares the first authorized user code to the database (26) for verification to unlock the computer (12) for use by the first authorized user in response to sensing the authorized user code in the operating space. The authorized user then is free to operate the computer software while the sensing for the presence of a transponder (20) transmitting an authorized user code in the operating space is continued. The computer (12) is relocked in the lockout mode at the termination of the first authorized user code by removing the transponder from the operating space and locking the software in a re-lockout operational status at the time of relocking to prevent operation of the computer (12) software by a user.

Computer access control

A programmable lawn mower assembly (10) including a carriage (12) supporting a mower central processing unit (CPU) (24) for controlling the drive motors (18) to control the direction of movement of the carriage (12). The assembly (10) includes first and second locating transmitters to be disposed on posts in spaced positions about the lawn with each locating transmitter simultaneously transmitting a radio frequency signal which travels at a first velocity and an audio signal which travels at a second velocity slower than said first velocity. A carriage receiver (50, 52) is disposed on the carriage (12) for receiving the radio and audio signals from the locating transmitters and for providing signals to the CPU (24) for determining the position of the carriage (12) relative to the locating transmitters by measuring the time between said radio and audio signals from each locating transmitter. The CPU (24) includes a sequence code circuit (57) for transmitting coded signals from the carriage transmitter (54) to the locating transmitters and each locating transmitter includes a code circuit (58) for receiving and identifying the its coded signal and for directing the locating transmitter to simultaneously send the first and second signals in response to the coded signal, each locating transmitter having its own coded signal. The system also includes wake-up circuits and acknowledgment circuits.

Programmable lawn mower

A vehicle central processing unit (CPU) (50) controls the power unit (16 or 18) to control the direction of movement of the carriage (12) of a lawn mower for determining the position of the lawn mower relative to locating stations (36, 38 and 40) in response to the time of movement from the counter (54) of the distance determining transmissions between the transceivers (42) at the locating stations (36, 38 and 40) and the lawn mower. The assembly is characterized by a generating circuit (60) for starting the counter (54) and generating a number of discrete subsignals to define each of the distance determining transmissions with each of the discrete subsignals being of equal velocity, a receiving circuit for stopping the counter (54) to store the number of the predetermined units for each of the subsignals, and an averaging circuit (64) for summing the number of the predetermined units for all of the subsignals in each of the distance determining transmissions and dividing by the number of the subsignals to provide the average number of the predetermined units to the central processing unit (CPU) (50) thereby providing a distance traveled time more accurate than the predetermined units. In other words and by way of example only, even though the counter (54) may only count in tenths, the averaged measurement may be in hundredths, i.e., a smaller division than the counter units.

Self-guided lawn mower

A chime cover assembly (10) comprising a box-like housing for supporting the electrical components of a door chime and including a cover (12) presenting a front wall (18) and a base (14) for mounting to a wall (16). The assembly characterized by a decorative plate (30) for being covered with wallpaper (32), or the like, and secured to the front wall (18) of the cover (12). The front wall (18) has holes (34) therein and the plate (30) includes integral projections (36) extending therefrom for insertion into the holes (34) for securing the plate (30) to the front wall (18). The cover (12) presents slanted trim areas (44) at the top and bottom of the front wall (18) and trim strips (46, 48) attach to the housing in the trim areas (44).

Designer chime cover

A wireless audible indication system comprising a transmitter and a receiver. An embodiment of the transmitter includes a crystal oscillator which produces a signal having a predetermined audio frequency. A duty cycle limiting circuit limits the duty cycle of the oscillator signal to be less than 25%. The limited duty cycle signal is applied to a radio frequency oscillator to produce an amplitude modulated radio frequency signal. An embodiment of the receiver includes a superregenerative detector which provides wide band detection of transmissions about a carrier frequency. A signal processing circuit formed by a cascade of a crystal filter stage, an amplifier/comparator stage, and a detector stage, processes the signal from the superregenerative detector. A sound generator integrated circuit, which generates an audible signal indicative of reception of a transmitted signal, is coupled to the signal processing circuit. Another embodiment of the receiver includes two parallel signal processing paths having different crystal filter stages, which allows use with two different transmitters.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Thomas G Xydis