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Apparatus and method for user control of appliances

  • US 20050257411A1
  • Filed: 02/14/2005
  • Published: 11/24/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for limiting usage of an associated appliance to an authorized user, comprising:

  • a regulating means configured to regulate operation of the associated appliance;

    at least one authorizing unit associated with an authorized user, said authorizing unit configured to transmit a signal representative of a unique message;

    wherein said regulating means is further configured to receive said signal;

    wherein said regulating means is further configured to calculate a differential strength of said signal to identify a spatial relationship of said at least one authorizing unit relative to said regulating means; and

    wherein said regulating means is further configured to enable the associated appliance only in response to said unique message corresponding to a predetermined message and said identified spatial relationship establishing a presence of said at least one authorizing unit within a predetermined spatial relationship to said associated appliance.

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