Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Application No. | Application Title | Issue Date |
| 20100283580 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE OPENING OF A VESSEL A device and a method for detecting the opening of a vessel are disclosed, the device includes: a control circuit which stores and provides the identification data, an antenna which is connected to the control circuit forms a circuit loop together with the control circu... | 11/11/2010 |
| 20100134275 | INVOCATION OF SYSTEM SERVICES THROUGH AUXILIARY INTERFACE The invention is directed to a user interface on a provided electronic device, the user interface including: (i) an auxiliary interface for receiving input from a user and providing output to the user; and (ii) a primary access interface. Using the auxiliary interface, ... | 06/03/2010 |
| 20100045487 | MARINE VESSEL THEFT DETERRENT APPARATUS AND MARINE VESSEL INCLUDING THE SAME A theft deterrent apparatus in a marine vessel having a propulsion device includes a key unit arranged to transmit a user authentication code, a first authentication unit disposed apart from the propulsion device, a second authentication unit, and an operation control u... | 02/25/2010 |
| 20100039219 | ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY HAVING MEANS TO PREVENT NON-PERMITTED DISASSEMBLING OF ITS COMPONENTS An electronic assembly includes a terminal unit, a signal connector and a memory device. The terminal unit includes a plurality of terminals consisting of a set of coupler terminals and a set of control terminals. The signal connector is utilized for electrically connec... | 02/18/2010 |
| 20090251282 | SYSTEM FOR MITIGATING THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A DEVICE The invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting the loss, theft or unauthorized use of a device and/or altering the functionality of the device in response. In one embodiment, a device monitors its use, its local environment, and/or its operating context ... | 10/08/2009 |
| 20090248581 | DISPLAY PAYMENT CARD WITH FRAUD AND LOCATION DETECTION A payment card comprises a display to support card-not-present transactions where no card reader is available to automate the transaction, and an account number retrieval method for dynamic, one-time use virtual account numbers whose use can assist authorities in rapid ... | 10/01/2009 |
| 20090224873 | TRACKING SYSTEM The object of the invention is a method for tracking objects in a tracking system. In the method at least two different objects (206, 310, 410, 510) are provided with a transmitter (204, 308, 408, 512), in each of which is individualized identifier data an... | 09/10/2009 |
| 20090146779 | Home entertainment system providing presence and mobility via remote control authentication An apparatus in one embodiment is operable to receive, from a remote control device associated with a video display device, biometric input of a user. Responsive to a match of the biometric input with stored biometric data of the user, the user is authenticated. The rem... | 06/11/2009 |
| 20090128284 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED CONTROL OF A SECURED AREA A method and apparatus that controls access to a secured area using an automated gate controlled secured environment is disclosed. The method may include receiving an indication that an individual attempting to pass through a clearance area has not been authorized to pa... | 05/21/2009 |
| 20080231434 | Device and method for wireless vehicle communication The invention provides a device, system, and method for wireless communication with a vehicle, comprising a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle for receiving data from a wireless transmitter, and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver for processing the d... | 09/25/2008 |
| 20080150683 | Wireless Device As Programmable Vehicle Key Methods and wireless devices for providing secure operation of a vehicle. In one such method, a key for accessing a vehicle is detected, a vehicle operation policy associated with the key is retrieved, and operation of the vehicle consistent with the vehicle operation p... | 06/26/2008 |
| 20080136587 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ACCESS TO AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE The invention relates to a system and method for unlocking and unlocking access to a device. In the system, an access management system for an electronic device is provided. The system comprises: a sensor providing a tap signal; a monitoring circuit connected to the sen... | 06/12/2008 |
| 20080061816 | Production of Limited Lifetime Devices Achieved Through E-Fuses An apparatus for disabling a circuit when the circuit is in a first preselected condition includes a critical element that has an enable state and a disable state. The critical element is configured in relation to the circuit such that the circuit cannot operate normall... | 03/13/2008 |
| 20080061928 | Air brake and vehicle or driver management system using portable data device Apparatus comprising a control member for a valve for controlling a vehicle brake function, and an electrically operable lockout for the control member. An electronic reader associated with the lockout is operable in response to communication with a personal data device... | 03/13/2008 |
| 20080048828 | KEYLESS OPERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE The embodiments described herein include a keyless operating system and method for a vehicle. The system includes a user input device for receiving a first and a second user input. A control module communicates with the user input device and is configured to receive the... | 02/28/2008 |
| 20080001705 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISABLING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE UPON THEFT A system for disabling a device. An embedded identifier contained within a cable security system is read in response to enabling a cable security mechanism within the device. The device is disabled if the embedded identifier is not found.... | 01/03/2008 |
| 20080001703 | Portable electronic apparatus Provided is a portable telephone apparatus which can change the arrangement (style) of its display portion and operation portion, and which makes it easy to input authentication information for making itself usable. A storage unit stores style lock association informati... | 01/03/2008 |
| 20070290791 | RFID-BASED SECURITY SYSTEMS AND METHODS RFID-based systems and methods are presented. A portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical system, a controller coupled to the electrical system, a display screen coupled to the electrical system, input devices... | 12/20/2007 |
| 20070273498 | System for checking the single crossing of a controlled passage The system includes an intercepting booth (1) and at least two detecting units (2) and (3), of which the first one analyzes the variation over time of the weight of people or things penetrated into the booth, the second one analyzes the variation ov... | 11/29/2007 |
| 20070200663 | Method and system for controlling a vehicle given to a third party A method and system for controlling a vehicle given to a third party. The system includes a system controller; a mode-indicating device coupled to the system controller; and an authenticator coupled to the system controller. Here, the system controller is adapted to com... | 08/30/2007 |
| 20070194881 | Enforcing payment schedules A payment schedule enforcement system and method cause various actions to be taken in response to nonpayment by the debtor. Such actions include remotely activating an alert message, disabling a vehicle or other product, or the like. Upon occurrence of a specified event... | 08/23/2007 |
| 20070046425 | Car security device A car security device designed to verify the driver's identity, ensure that the driver is insured, and communicate with police forces to check that the driver has no warrants before an individual is allowed to operate a vehicle. In the event of a high-speed pursuit, the... | 03/01/2007 |
| 20060273885 | Security authorisation system An authorisation system (30), for permitting apparatus such as a vehicle (10) or computer to function normally in the presence of a suitably authorised user (12) comprises complementary parts of wireless communication means (32), namely an ap... | 12/07/2006 |
| 20060220809 | System and method for monitoring use of vehicles such as golf carts A vehicle includes a monitoring system capable of monitoring one or more measurable characteristics associated with the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a transceiver capable of broadcasting information associated with the one or more measurable characteristics for de... | 10/05/2006 |
| 20060139146 | Slot device A slot device for holding a portable device that communicates with a controller installed in a vehicle. The slot device includes a retainer for retaining the portable device, a shutter for closing the retainer, and a spring received in a spring receptacle for urging the... | 06/29/2006 |
| 20060062240 | Redundant radio frequency network having a roaming terminal communication protocol Disclosed herein is a redundant network and communication protocol at least including host computers, RF base stations, and roaming terminals. The network may utilize a polling communication protocol such that under heavy traffic conditions, a roaming terminal wishing t... | 03/23/2006 |
| 20060022795 | Vehicle control system and method A backup communication is automatically executed if a smart ID does not come back from a portable device though a comparison ECU transmits a smart ID request. In the backup communication, the comparison ECU transmits an immobilized ID request through a coil. The portabl... | 02/02/2006 |
| 20060023892 | Communications device for transmitting acoustic signals in a motor vehicle A communications device is for transmitting acoustic signals in a motor vehicle. The communications device includes at least two transmitters and at least two receivers for transmitting and emitting acoustic signals. One transmitter and one receiver are each allocated t... | 02/02/2006 |
| 20060007951 | Redundant radio frequency network having a roaming terminal communication protocol Disclosed herein is a redundant network and communication protocol at least including host computers, RF base stations, and roaming terminals. The network may utilize a polling communication protocol such that under heavy traffic conditions, a roaming terminal wishing t... | 01/12/2006 |
| 20050237149 | Over-lock for self-storage units The present invention is an electronically controlled self-storage over-lock system that uses distributed processing to allow management to automatically over-lock tenants' units when their accounts become delinquent or when storage units are not rented. Once the self-s... | 10/27/2005 |
| 20050225429 | Multiuser vehicle utilization system and electronic key therefor A vehicle utilization system permitting use of a vehicle (3) having a respective identification code (Cveh) includes a key (2) having a memory (5) for storing an enabling code (Cid) enabling use of the vehicle; and an enabling ... | 10/13/2005 |
| 20050151618 | Vehicle anti-theft apparatus An anti-theft apparatus including a first memory, which stores an ID code registered in a portable device, a GPS receiver, which determines the present position of the vehicle, a second memory, which stores a predetermined registered position, and a control circuit, whi... | 07/14/2005 |
| 20050122208 | Vehicle security system When transmitting an instruction for activating an immobilizer function to a subject vehicle, a base station also transmits a given ID code for releasing the immobilizer function. An immobilizer ECU that receives the instruction and the given ID code, prohibits an engin... | 06/09/2005 |
| 20050073389 | Systems and methods for deterring theft of electronic devices Systems and methods for remotely shutting down or preventing operation of device via a wireless network infrastructure are provided. The device may be disabled using a defined command the device receives on a wide area network, such as a SPOT network or wireless carrier... | 04/07/2005 |
| 20050012591 | Anti-theft system and method A system and apparatus for detecting unauthorized movement of a moveable object where the system includes a GPS receiver, cellular modulator, processor, pager modem, sensor and two-way pager. When the system is coupled to a moveable object and is armed via the pager, th... | 01/20/2005 |
