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...
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7620157 | System for requesting service of a machine A machine requiring periodic maintenance, such as a vending machine, is retrofitted to include an alert system for notifying a machine operator that the machine requires servicing. The alert system includes one or more sensors to detect default conditions, a voice r... | 11/17/2009 |
| 7440554 | Alarm signal interceptor, middleware processor, and re-transmitter A relatively simple redialer device is provided at the customer's home to redirect outgoing alarm calls to a middleware processing center. The redialer first dials “*82” (or other appropriate code) to disable caller-ID blocking. The redialer then redirects the a... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7397907 | Multi-function general purpose transceiver The present invention is generally directed to a system and associated method for communicating information to a predetermined location. The system includes a transmitter disposed at a first location and configured to transmit a signal containing an instruction code... | 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 |
| 7373395 | Method and system for providing information to remote clients A system and method of notifying a remote client of a sensor triggering event and providing to the remote client data related to the sensor triggering event. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving a first notification signal indicating that a sensor has b... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7356474 | System and method for remotely enforcing operational protocols A system and method for remotely enforcing operational protocols is provided. In a remote environment, such as that found with a police environment, voice recognition technology is used to determine the situation and invoke actions according to an appropriate protoc... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7356128 | Method and apparatus for obtaining status of monitoring devices over a network A system and method for monitoring the state of a structure over a network. The system and method provides for providing the status of a monitoring device to a status file. The status file is accessible over the Internet by computer so that a party can first determi... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7327998 | System and method of providing a geographic view of nodes in a wireless network A geographic view rendering tool receives geographic location data for nodes in a wireless network and renders a geographic view displaying the nodes at their corresponding geographic locations. The geographic view may be displayed overlaying a digital map. The geog... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7323970 | Method and system for remote interaction with a vehicle via wireless communication A telemetry system coupled to a vehicle can communicate with a remote site using the overhead control channels of a wireless network, such as a cellular mobile radiotelephone network. The telemetry system can monitor or control aspects of the vehicle's operations ba... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7321783 | Mobile entertainment and communication device A mobile entertainment and communication device in a palm-held size housing has a cellular or satellite telephone capable of wireless communication with the Internet and one or more replaceable memory card sockets for receiving a blank memory card for recording data... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7319477 | Videophone system for scrutiny monitoring with computer control In conjunction with the dial-up public telephone system, voice quality lines carry videophone signals for monitoring a multitude of locations from at least one central station for use in a variety of applications, such as for security, surveillance, quality control ... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7319307 | Power balancing of multiple synchronized generators Power balancing techniques for a synchronous power generation system are provided. One exemplary method for balancing power in a synchronous generator system includes determining an output power characteristic of a synchronous generator driven by a prime mover and c... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7312721 | Data collector for an automated meter reading system The invention includes an electronic utility meter, a data collector/meter and a method for communicating data in an automated meter reading system. The inventive method includes communicating data with a network and a first electronic utility meter, and communicati... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7301476 | Dynamic self-configuring metering network A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instr... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7292142 | Method and apparatus for interfacing security systems by periodic check in with remote facility Security systems, such as in a home or other building, periodically transmit status data to a remote facility so that the remote facility is continuously informed of the security systems' status. A user interface device at one security system, or a web browser at a ... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7286048 | Supervised guard tour systems and methods The present invention comprises systems and methods for addressing exceptions (i.e., alarms) associated with a guard tour according to a predefined hierarchy. The exception is generated automatically based on data associated with the guard tour, as typicdally collec... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7263073 | Systems and methods for enabling a mobile user to notify an automated monitoring system of an emergency situation Systems and methods for enabling a mobile user to notify an automated monitoring system of an emergency situation are provided. The automated monitoring system may be configured for monitoring and controlling a plurality of remote devices and may comprise a site con... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7262709 | System and method for efficient configuration in a fixed network automated meter reading system Meters are configured using either a program update method or a meter update method. In the program update method, meters associated with a specified configuration program are identified and configured with updated parameters. In the meter update method, a specified... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7253729 | Wireless vending communication systems A system includes a plurality of vending machines communicating wirelessly with a centralized consolidation unit. The consolidation unit communicates via a pre-established communications network, such as a wired or wireless telephone network with a data collection c... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7254416 | Mobile entertainment and communication device A mobile entertainment and communication device in a palm-held size housing has a cellular or satellite telephone capable of wireless communication with the Internet and one or more replaceable memory card sockets for receiving a blank memory card for recording data... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7245703 | Alarm signal interceptor, middleware processor, and re-transmitter using caller ID A relatively simple redialer device is provided at the customer's home to redirect outgoing alarm calls to a middleware processing center. The redialer first dials “★82” (or other appropriate code) to disable caller-ID blocking. The redialer then redirects the... | 07/17/2007 |
| 7242295 | Security data management system A sensor unit for use in a surveillance system is provided. The sensor unit interfaces with a sensor device to receive sensor data from the sensor device. The sensor unit is configured to generate an event record based upon received sensor data. The event record is ... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7239250 | System and method for improved transmission of meter data The system includes a number of first meters, which are typically battery powered transmit only devices. The system includes a number of two-way meters, which are operable to both transmit and receive data. The first meters transmit their data to the collector eithe... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7239982 | Information processing device and method The present invention suppresses charges incurred by data communications. A controller transmits data values acquired by sensors to a data center at predetermined intervals. When a predetermined interval has elapsed, a data value to be transmitted is compared with t... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7227463 | Alarm systems, alarm system operating methods, and alarm extension devices An alarm extension device includes a retainer configured to receive a personal paging device, a vibration sensor in operative association with the retainer, an auxiliary alarm generator, and a link between the vibration sensor and the auxiliary alarm generator. The ... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7221928 | Mobile emergency notification system A handset uses one or more systems, such as GPS, a carrier-based network or a wireless local area network, to ascertain its location. The handset can include sensors, such as temperature or heart rate sensors. In response to detecting an attempt to place an emergenc... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7216145 | Event notification system In a method of transmitting an event notification, a first data packet that includes a first event code is transmitted to a first individual via a not-automatically receipt confirmed communication. Upon receiving a response communication from the first individual, t... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7209729 | Cradle, security system, telephone, and monitoring method A cradle includes: a telephone supporting section supporting a mobile telephone; a connecting section electrically connecting to the mobile telephone; a sensor communications section receiving a report from a sensor sensing a state of a monitored area; and a transmi... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7197295 | Portable communication device A portable communication device including a GPS antenna, a GPS processing circuit for determining a location of the device based on a signal received by the antenna, a location information processing circuit for detecting the location information corresponding to a ... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7187906 | Method and system for configurable qualification and registration in a fixed network automated meter reading system A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instr... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7187758 | Organization of a telecommunication network in exceptional cases A method for operating a telecommunication network in exceptional situations includes defining a group of connections of the network, the connections each having a respective terminal connected thereto, the connections being dialable via individual network identific... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7183907 | Central station monitoring with real-time status and control A number of different security systems, such as in home or business locations, periodically transmit status data to a remote facility such as a central monitoring station so that it is continuously informed of the security systems' status. The status may relate to a... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7176807 | System for automatically enforcing a demand reset in a fixed network of electricity meters Methods and systems of enforcing a demand reset in a meter that communicates via a wireless network. When billing data is received by a server, it is accompanied by a demand reset counter. The counter is compared to a counter stored on the server. If they received c... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7170425 | System and method for creating multiple operating territories within a meter reading system The present invention enables multiple operating territories to be defined, named, and managed within a meter reading system. Each operating territory may correspond to a geographic sub-section of the meter reading system that is regulated by a particular regulatory... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7161478 | Methods and apparatus for generating a data structure indicative of an alarm system circuit A user of a computer aided design (CAD) system graphically places fire alarm appliances, such as smoke detectors and sirens, in a drawing area. After elements are placed and physical paths are determined, a series of electrical circuit connections between alarm sour... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7151750 | ISDN alarm notification system An ISDN alarm notification (fault locating) system in subscriber transmission equipment is connected to switching equipment conforming to TR-303 standard, in particular. The system includes a controller for setting switch options in subscriber transmission equipment... | 12/19/2006 |
| 7145474 | Dynamic self-configuring metering network A dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprises a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instr... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7142106 | System and method of visualizing network layout and performance characteristics in a wireless network A system for visually detailing the layout of a wireless network and for providing performance statistics regarding the network. Graphical diagrams are generated in accordance with a request wherein the diagrams illustrate nodes and data collectors in the wireless n... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7130383 | Lifestyle multimedia security system A method is disclosed for remote monitoring of a premises, comprising the steps of operatively coupling a geographically remote client to a security system server which is capable of authenticating a user of the remote client, operatively coupling the remote client ... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7129848 | Remote monitoring method and system The present invention relates to a remote monitoring method comprises the steps of monitoring an occurrence of an event, providing a signal to a wireless module in response to the occurrence of the event, sending a... | 10/31/2006 |
