Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8093986 | Self-powered electronic lock A self-powered electronic lock is provided having a housing, a lock element mounted in the housing for movement relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, a code input device operating with a first set of electronics, and an electric... | 01/10/2012 |
| 8035477 | Energy-efficient electronic access control An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic key, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic key can include program code for switching between a lock mode and a computer mode. In some embodiments,... | 10/11/2011 |
| 7796009 | Transaction quality system and quality assurance method A managing unit manages an identifier for identifying an authenticated container that is authenticated as a legitimate container. An inquiring unit inquires, before transferring a substance between containers, the managing unit whether both of the containers are the... | 09/14/2010 |
| 7397342 | Operating system for a motorized barrier operator with a radio frequency energized light kit and/or switch and methods for programming the same An operating system for a motorized barrier includes an operator for controlling movement of the barrier between various positions. The operator may receive wireless signals from a wireless or wired wall station transmitter, a wireless keyless entry device and/or a ... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7394345 | Arrangement for indicating presence of individual When an entity (such as a customer using a communication device 131, 141, 151 . . . ) attempts to communicate with a target (such as an employee), an arrangement indicates to the customer, “status” information describing at least the employee's present an... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7392944 | Managing content at a portable, content adjustable personal identification device In one embodiment, at least one information control device manages the content displayed on multiple separate portable, content adjustable personal identification devices. The information control device automatically selects at least one content specification for tr... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7388489 | System and method for managing data on an RFID tag associated with a product The invention relates to a method and system for tracking repairs or servicing of various products/devices at a service center using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are attached to the product upon receipt at the service center and that remain on the... | 06/17/2008 |
| 7375440 | Vehicle electronic key system A vehicle electronic key system that may be lent to a third person without having to worry about how the key would be used. The key system includes a portable key and a control unit installed in a vehicle. When the vehicle owner does not want the third person to use... | 05/20/2008 |
| 7372839 | Global positioning system (GPS) based secure access Presented herein are systems and methods for global positioning system based secure access. A request for access to a computer network is received. A determination is made whether a mobile terminal is within a predetermined location. If the mobile terminal is within... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7363139 | Method and device for operating a vehicle A method and a device for operating a vehicle provide a convenient and flexible function for limiting a performance quantity, in particular the speed or the engine speed of the vehicle. At least one limiting value is predefined for the performance quantity. The at l... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7355505 | System and method for controlling access to designated area A system and associated method for controlling access to a designated area. The system includes a programmable unit, a programming unit, a programmable tag, and a validation system. The programmable unit generates a first and second key for each access to the design... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7355506 | 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 car... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7349772 | Vehicle integrated radio remote control Radio remote control over a motor vehicle and particularly of auxiliary systems installed on the vehicle is effected through an onboard controller which is integrated with the vehicle's controller area network. This arrangement increases flexibility of the system fo... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7342324 | Electronic security system An electronic security apparatus for a vehicle being capable of controlling the performance of a vehicle function in response to a user attempting to start the engine of the vehicle. The system being capable of controlling the performance of the vehicle function in ... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7340509 | Reconfigurable appliance control system A reconfigurable appliance control system includes a dedicated appliance control (DAC) for controlling operation of an appliance. The system further includes an appliance communication control (ACC) for communicating with at least one appliance. The system includes ... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7327259 | Method and apparatus for managing online and offline documents with RFID technology Provided are a method and an apparatus for managing online and offline documents using RFID technology. The method includes: pre-registering online and offline documents using radio frequency identification tag information stored in at least one of the online and of... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7327230 | Vehicle immobiliser/alarm A security system having security devices with hierarchical levels of access provided to coded keys which may be hand held transmitter units, is disclosed. The levels of access are master which is restricted to the manufacturer, seller and installer, supervisor whic... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7315232 | Use management method and processing apparatus In an image processing apparatus is arranged for authenticating through collating an input of identification code with an identification code stored in advance, reading the biometrics information from an entry process made when the authentication has been admitted a... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7312691 | System and method of using telematics units for locking and unlocking vehicle functions A method for remotely locking or unlocking vehicle functions including receiving a lock request at a vehicle telematics unit, modifying a vehicle identification number based on the request and locking or unlocking at least one vehicle function based on the modified ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7301438 | Ancillary protection system against the unauthorized use of an access and/or ignition key A protection system against the unauthorized use of an access key with electronic identification that, when is active, prevents the recognition of the original access key. This is done by disturbing the transfer of the code by magnetic induction from the circuit inc... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7295099 | Home appliance network system and method for operating the same Disclosed herein are a home appliance network system and a method for operating the same. The home appliance network system comprises a plurality of home appliances connected to a network constructed in a home for transmitting and receiving data over the network, an... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7289014 | System for automatically moving access barriers and methods for using the same An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers including a controller associated with at least one access barrier and a transceiver associated with the controller for transmitting and receiving operational signals. The system al... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7289764 | Cardholder interface for an access control system In a wireless access control system, a method and system for providing indications of the state of a Wireless Access Point Module (WAPM) to an observer using at least one indicator mounted on the WAPM. The WAPM preferably provides indications of the version number o... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7280030 | System and method for adjusting access control based on homeland security levels A system and method for automatically regulating access control levels in an access control system based on the threat level as determined by the Department of Homeland Security and/or their corresponding local offices. ... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7271723 | Container device provided with surveillance panels, surveillance method using the same device, and structure of the same device The objective is the provision of intrusion detection sensor panels, which when used to enclose a closed space as a closed space apparatus, protect against the unlawful intrusion into that closed space, as well as the removal or secretion of articles into that close... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7266344 | Remotely activated bridge device for use with a home network and methods for programming and using the same A bridge device linking transmitters to a home network includes a transmitter signal receiver adapted to receive transmitter signals in a transmitter format from at least one transmitter and a network signal transceiver adapted to transmit and receive network signal... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7262698 | Medical item storage cabinet and method The system for controlling and tracking medical items (830) includes a plurality of medical item storage cabinets (878). Each cabinet includes a plurality of doors (888-894). The doors control access to shelves (902, 904) and suppo... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7253715 | Secure cargo transportation system A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the cont... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7242279 | Method and apparatus for providing a proof of delivery verification for freight transportation systems A method and apparatus for providing a proof of delivery verification for freight transportation systems. A vehicle transmits an indication of arrival at a destination. A remote station receives the indication and validates the arrival of the vehicle. If the arrival... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7234609 | Article dispensing system and method for same An article dispensing machine and article transport storage unit are shown that permit articles slated for inventory to be delivered in secure manner from a centralized inventory supply center to an article dispensing machine forming part of an article distribution ... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7227448 | Secure system for the control of the unlocking of at least one openable panel of a motor vehicle A system for controlling locking/unlocking of at least one openable panel of a vehicle is provided. The system is especially designed to prevent unauthorized persons from intercepting and copying signals transmitted between the vehicle and a transmission/reception d... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7225976 | Aircraft anti-theft and safety system A fixed program processor having a timer relay and a comparator relay interprets, stores and compares inputted biometric data with pre-loaded biometric data and responds including activation of a vehicle's electronic systems. An electronic system interrupter allows ... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7212099 | Intelligent lock that can set a key code by itself, a key which can be used for many locks and a setting tool thereof An intelligent lock that can set a key code by itself, a key which can be used for many locks, as well as a setting tool are presented. The key may include a housing, a battery, a head, a group of contacts provided on the head, a non-volatile memory, and a special k... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7213030 | Web-enabled transaction and collaborative management system A method and apparatus for a Web-enabled transaction and collaborative management application are described. In one embodiment, the application is centered around a user-friendly home navigation page designed to facilitate convenience for the user in accessing infor... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7205882 | Actuating a security system using a wireless device Actuating a security system includes providing a first set of access codes to a wireless device and causing the wireless device to transmit the first set of access codes to a first controller that actuates the security system. The first set of access codes provided ... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7198527 | Engine control apparatus The engine control apparatus includes: the stop switch body 6; the stop switch knob 3 that allows the engine to stop or to be in an idling state; the lock plate 5; the transponder 9 that can transmit a predetermined ID code; and the contr... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7190266 | Pre-installed appliance with warning system and methods of operation A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller ... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7188255 | Software delivery system The present software delivery system includes a computer system and a CD-ROM. The computer system includes a central processing unit communicably coupled to a CD-ROM drive, a hard drive, and a non-volatile memory. The CD-ROM contains a control module and a plurality... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7182362 | Remote locking fifth wheel A remote controlled locking system for locking a trailer to a truck by locking a mechanism that secures the truck to the trailer. The system may include a remotely located transmitter adapted to transmit a control signal. A receiving unit on the truck is adapted to ... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7173514 | Operator for a movable barrier and method of use A modifiable transmitter is used with an operator to control a position of a barrier. The operator includes a controller for comparing radio frequency transmissions received with stored serial numbers so that the controller can move the barrier when a radio frequenc... | 02/06/2007 |
