Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Sequential or selective
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-24
2001-08-28
Grant, William (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Sequential or selective
C700S009000, C700S017000, C700S292000, C725S025000, C705S056000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282451
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic control systems and methods of disabling electrical equipment and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical equipment, such as appliances or the like which may be rented out for temporary use.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many establishments which specialize in the rental of electrical appliances such as televisions, video cassette recorders, washers, dryers, and the like. Such electrical appliances are usually rented for a specified period of time for which a rental fee is paid by the renter of the electrical appliance. A general problem associated with such electrical appliances that have been rented is the failure of the renter to return the rented electrical appliance within the specified period of time, while at the same time continuing to operate the electrical appliance.
Efforts to make it impossible to operate electrical appliances when a predetermined period of time is reached include the incorporation of devices such as timers into electrical appliances.
The related art is represented by the following patents of interest.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,422, issued on Apr. 18, 1978 to Tatuji Niwata et al., describes a video security system for pay-TV that can disturb an image on the screen of a TV receiver for fee-charged viewing thereof. Niwata et al. do not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,114, issued on Jan. 15, 1985 to Norman Kaish, describes a security arrangement for rendering microprocessor-controlled electronic equipment inoperative after the occurrence of a disabling event. Kaish does not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,179, issued on Oct. 22, 1985 to William J. Stenardo, describes a remote control system for remotely controlling the audio volume on electronic equipment having an audio output and particularly on electronic home entertainment equipment possessing an earphone connection. Stenardo does not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,296, issued on Oct. 13, 1987 to Roy A. Palmer, Jr. et al., describes an electronic access control system for appliance type means, such as refrigerators, televisions, washers, dryers, and the like. Palmer, Jr. et al. do not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,484, issued on Jul. 4, 1989 to Thomas R. Ellsberg, describes an automatic audit system for “tracking” the single-copy sales of newspapers in newspaper rack machines. Ellsberg does not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,372, issued on Feb. 22, 1994 to Jon E. Guthrie et al., describes an equipment tracking system that provides current and accurate configuration management information regarding the physical status of computer-related equipment. Guthrie et al. do not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,612, issued on Jul. 16, 1996 to Sol M. Cherrick et al., describes a remote control hand-set means for disrupting the normal operation of a television receiver. Cherrick et al. do not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,586, issued on Oct. 8, 1996 to Matthew C. Baum et al., describes an apparatus for limiting access to control of electrically operated equipment. Baum et al. do not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,771, issued on Jun. 16, 1998 to Leonard A. Lamont, describes an electronic equipment theft deterrent system. Lamont does not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
Japan Patent document 57-4802, published on Jan. 11, 1982, describes a retrieval device for raising the efficiency of inventory control. Japan '802 does not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
Japan Patent document 62-95041, published on May 1, 1987, describes an information service system. Japan '041 does not suggest a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances according to the claimed invention.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method and apparatus for allowing or disrupting passage of power in electrical appliances that includes a wireless remote control device and a device in the form of an electronic circuit adapted for allowing or disrupting passage of power in an electrical appliance based upon wireless signals received from the wireless remote control device. The wireless remote control device may communicate with the electronic circuit in the electrical appliance by radio frequency signals, microwave signals, magnetic wave signals, infrared signals, optical signals, acoustic signals, or other signal types known in the art. The electrical appliance may be any one of a variety of electrical appliances, such as a television, a video cassette recorder, a computer, a washer, a dryer, and the like.
The inventive wireless remote control device includes a housing. The housing includes mounted therein a display, thirteen input keys each representing two letters of the alphabet, and ten input keys respectively representing the numbers zero through nine. The housing also includes a DELETE input key, an ENTER input key, a left cursor input key, a right cursor input key, a down cursor input key, and an up cursor input key. The housing also includes a power cord which leads to a connector adapted for being electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power source external of the wireless remote control device. For example, the connector could be adapted for being electrically connected to an automotive vehicle DC battery via a cigarette lighter slot in the automotive vehicle.
Elements contained within a wireless remote control device according to the invention include an antenna, a wireless transceiver, a discriminator, an analog to digital and digital to analog converter, a digital logic controller, a memory, a display, and input keys. Wireless signals are coupled to and from open space via the antenna. The wireless remote control device wireless transceiver transmits and receives wireless signals. Typical wireless transceiver functions include signal detection, modulation, demodulation, amplification, and noise reduction. Carrier frequencies are provided by a frequency synthesizer which is controlled by the digital logic controller.
The discriminator evaluates received signals and passes an output to the analog to digital and digital to analog converter when a suitable signal is identified. The wireless transceiver may receive a signal modulated with a digital code word or a tone signal. In that case, the discriminator then decodes the code word or demodulates the carrier and changes state only in the event the correct code word or tone signal is identified in a reception.
The analog to digital and digital to analog converter provides digital to analog and analog to digital signal conversion for signal processing and communication in both analog and digital for
Grant William
Litman Richard C.
Rodriguez Paul
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