The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 23, 2002
William B. Paxton, Chicago, IL (US);
Donald A. Rosenwinkel, Oak Park, IL (US);
Radica China Ltd., , VG;
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling access to, or interaction with, a variety of different types of devices is provided. The system includes a plurality of different lights that flash sequentially, the lights being distinguishable on the basis of color, location within a light pattern, or labeling. Alternately the system includes a single light that sequentially flashes different colors. The user enters data into the system by responding to particular lights in accordance with a predetermined light sequence. Alternately, the user enters data by responding to a particular light where each light corresponds to a predefined response. In general, a user responds to a particular light by triggering a response with the system's controller while the particular light is lit or before the next light in the sequence becomes lit. A user can trigger a response in a variety of ways, ranging from blinking an eye to pressing or otherwise operating a mechanical switch.