A voice-activated control system in which a voice command transmitted to an audio signal receiver such as a microphone is digitized by a voice recognition program that produces an address and a function corresponding to the component to which the voice command is directed. The digitized signal is converted by an IR transceiver or an encoder/decoder to an IR signal, which is transmitted via an LCC bus to one or more devices attached to it. The device that has the appropriate address is actuated to perform the function and/or provide feedback to the system. The invention also includes voice-activated systems that rely on a centralized control approach while a third type of system uses a hybrid system that uses both lcc-based and electrical-based input. The present invention is also directed to various methods of activating and controlling one or more components of a system through a voice-activated system.

Light communication channel-based voice-activated control system and method for implementing thereof

An optical system that controls the operation of infrequently used electrically activated devices of a vehicle, such as hood or trunk latches or door locks, is disclosed. The optical control system comprises a storage device and an optical device. The storage device, such as a solar battery, is chargeable by the radiant energy of the light source and the electrical power of the battery is applied to the infrequently used activation devices under the control of the optical device, which, in turn, is also controlled by the radiant energy of the light source.

Optical control system particularly suited for infrequently activated devices

A keyless access control system (10) controls access through an entranceway (e.g., a door 16) into a vehicle (12). A sealed security input module (14) of the system (10) is mounted on the vehicle (12) at a location to be accessible by an operator (18) located outside of the vehicle (12). The module (14) includes a keypad (22) manually actuatable by the operator (18) to enter a security code. The module (14) also includes a code-transmitting transmitter (26 and 28). A code-receiving receiver (38 and 40) is located in the vehicle. An induction power coupling (50) connects the security input module (14) and a vehicle power system (58). Preferably, a first half (48) of the induction coupling (50) is located in the module (14), and a second half (52) of the induction coupling is adjacent to the first half (48). During operation, power from the vehicle power system (58) is transferred to the module (14) via the induction coupling (50). The operator (18) manually inputs the security code to the module (14). The code-transmitting transmitter (26 and 28) of the module (14) transmits a RF signal (30) conveying the security code. The code-receiving receiver (38 and 40) receives the signal (30).

Keyless access control system with wireless, induction-powered keypad module and methods

Device for assisting disabled drivers

According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and system for indicating a status of a subsystem controlled by a switch provided on a steering wheel of a marine vehicle. The method and system comprise: providing a switch for the subsystem on the steering wheel of the marine vehicle; providing a status indicator for the switch; detecting an activation of the switch; transmitting a command to the subsystem in the marine vehicle in response to the activation; detecting an operation status of the subsystem in response to the command; and activating the status indicator to indicate information of the operation status.

Status light for switch on boat steering wheel

PURPOSE:To reduce the occurrence of noise by employing a semiconductor joint part such as a thyrister through the use of a solid relay when a main electric route with a great current is opened and closed. CONSTITUTION:A current limit resistance 7A is connected to any one of the solid relays 2A-2C serially connected to respective power source lines, and any one of the remaining relays is made conductive. Then a space between a smoothing circuit and the current limit resistance 7A becomes a closed circuit through the solid relays 2A-2C and a rectifier 3, and a current is flowed to charge the smoothing capacitor 9 of the smoothing circuit. At that time, the nonconductive solid relays 2A-2C are made conductive to short-circuit the current limit resistance 7A, and a steady DC voltage is outputted to the smoothing circuit. Then power source modules 4A-4B becoming large loads are started to complete the activation of a power source device. For stopping the power source device, first the power source modules 4A-4B are stopped, and then all the solid relays 2A-2C are opened, thereby completing the stoppage.

Saito Osamu

Papers

Power source device