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  Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protectionRelated Patent Categories: Cryptography, Video Cryptography, Video Electric Signal Modification (e.g., Scrambling), Usage Or Charge Determination, Including Usage Or Charge Recording At Subscriber StationThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070064943. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/718,640 filed Sep. 20, 2005. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention is related to system control relying on device inputs. More particularly, the invention is concerned with switch and sensor state identification and control relying thereon. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Conventional input devices use multiple wires for opening, closing and coupling circuits and for sensing of current, voltage, or impedance to determine input device states. Such wiring, particularly in applications such as automotives, can be a source of undesirable assembly and reliability issues. Wire routing is inherently more difficult in certain portions of a vehicle. Wire routing is also a significant source of system reliability issues. Furthermore, certain wiring issues may make system diagnosis more difficult when such issues appear intermittently. [0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide for systems that rely less on wiring in their application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] This invention relates identification keys to device states, including switches and sensors, and communicates the identification keys to a controller for use in control of a system based on the current identification keys and/or identification key transitions. While the invention may be practiced with wireless and hardwired communications, the architecture and method of the present invention enables ready integration with wireless technologies, such as radio frequency identification technologies. [0006] A method for system control in accordance with the invention includes relating device states to identification keys, communicating the identification keys to a controller, and controlling an apparatus based on the communicated identification keys. Relating the device states to identification keys may include, for example: encoding a plurality of switch inputs to address a memory structure; decoding a plurality of switch inputs to address a memory structure; addressing a memory structure with a plurality of switch inputs; multiplexing a memory structure in accordance with a plurality of switch inputs; converting an analog sensor signal to a digital address and referencing a memory structure with the address; or, referencing a memory structure based on a digital sensor signal. Communicating the identification keys may include, for example, transmitting the identification key using wireless or hardwired communication links. And, controlling the apparatus may be based on current identification keys or on changes in identification keys. [0007] A control apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a device having a plurality of device states, an identification key selection apparatus for selecting identification keys corresponding to current device states, and a communication device for communicating selected identification keys to a controller. The device may include a switch or a sensor, for example. The identification key selection apparatus may include, for example, a radio frequency identification chip or a memory apparatus and means for addressing the memory apparatus based on current device states. The communication device may include, for example, wireless or hardwired communication apparatus, and more particularly a frequency identification chip. [0008] A control apparatus in accordance with the invention includes selection apparatus coupled to an input device, wherein the selection apparatus is effective to interpret states of the input device and to provide at least one identification key uniquely corresponding to a present state of the input device. The control apparatus further includes communication apparatus to convey identification keys provided by the selection apparatus to a system controller, wherein the system controller is effective to produce a response based on the identification keys conveyed thereto. The selection apparatus may include, for example, a radio frequency identification chip or a memory apparatus and means for addressing the memory apparatus based on current states of the input device. The communication apparatus may include, for example, wireless or hardwired communication apparatus, and more particularly a frequency identification chip. [0009] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of switch state determination, communication and system response in accordance with the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed wireless implementation of the communication aspects of the schematic block diagram of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention; [0012] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate in further detail particular wireless embodiments of switch state determination and transmission aspects of exemplary radio frequency identification tag implementations of the present invention; [0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate alternate switch embodiments for use in carrying out a three switch state apparatus in accordance with the present invention; [0014] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate alternate exemplary embodiments of switch state identification key determinations in accordance with the present invention; [0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of sensor state identification key determinations in accordance with the present invention; [0016] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate alternative switch state diagrams useful in understanding the application of switch state transitions in a bi-directional user interface control in accordance with the present invention; and [0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a chart mapping switch transition to system responses for use in a bi-directional user interface control in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018] With reference first to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of input device state determination, communication and system response in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. A control system 10 includes input device 11. Input device 11 may comprise any of a variety of interfaces between an operator, an apparatus or environment, and a system controller responsive thereto. Non-limiting examples of such input devices include single or multiple switches operative individually or in groups and sensors. An operator, for example a vehicle occupant, may actuate toggle switches in a door pad and door locks are controlled in response thereto. Similarly, an operator may actuate rotary or slide switches on a climate control panel and mode selections, temperature settings and air outlet selections are controlled in response thereto. An electronic throttle control system includes a throttle position sensor and throttle plate position is controlled in response thereto. A semi-active suspension system includes a damper position sensor and the damper is controlled in response thereto. An engine control system may rely upon temperature sensors (e.g. ambient air, coolant) as inputs to a variety of control functions affecting performance and emissions. Continue reading... Full patent description for Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Control apparatus and method utilizing identifying keys Next Patent Application: Method and apparatus for symmetric-key decryption Industry Class: Cryptography ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.41997 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , |
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