Abstract: A spectral method, and corresponding system, for knock detection includes acquiring (603) spectral energy associated with vibration caused by a knocking condition from a running engine. Preferably, a sampled data system (105) acquires the spectral energy by converting an output from an accelerometer (101) into data samples (103) in a digital form. Then from the acquired spectral energy, a knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components, representing a characteristic of a combustion chamber located within the running engine. In a preferred embodiment the knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components related by ratios corresponding to Bessel function coefficients. The preferred embodiment includes a Digital Signal Processor (109) applying a Fast Fourier Transform method (503) to estimate a spectral content used to determine the knock variable. Then, a knock indication is provided (509) when the knock variable exceeds a magnitude of a predetermined threshold (507).

Abstract: Electronic devices protected by an organic polymeric encapsulant and placed in a corrosive environment can have added protection by dispersing in the encapsulant particles of a solid buffer which tend to neutralize the effect of the corrosive agent. This approach is quite effective when strong acids are the corrosive agents, and when solid acid-base buffers are dispersed in the polymeric material. The encapsulant may be elastomeric, and silicone elastomers containing solid acid-base buffers are quite effective in protecting the underlying electronic device from corrosion by strong acids.

Abstract: An RF tagging system includes an RF tag (10, 30) and an RF tag reader 80. The RF tag includes a plurality of RF resonant circuits. Each RF resonant circuit is resonant at a given RF frequency. A group of decoder RF resonant circuits (12, 32) have resonant frequencies defining one of a plurality of predetermined decoding modalities. A group of data RF resonant circuits (14, 34) have resonant frequencies corresponding to a predetermined identification code when the resonant frequencies of the data RF resonant circuits are decoded in accordance with the one decoding modality. The RF tag reader detects the resonant frequencies of the decoder RF resonant circuits and determines the one decoding modality.

Abstract: An RF tag (10) includes a plurality of RF resonant circuits (14, 18, 22) which are disposed in a three-dimensional array within a body (30) of solid material. Selected ones of the RF resonant circuits are coated with a conductive ink (36) for programming the RF tag. Non-planar RF resonant circuits (40, 50) provide enhanced directivity. The RF resonant circuits (14, 40, 50) are disposed within an elongated body (72, 82, 94) in spaced apart and substantially axially aligned relation to provide elongated RF tag configurations. An RF tag assembly (110) includes attachment mechanisms (116, 118) for attaching an RF tag (128) to a carrier. A dual mode RF tag assembly (140) is also provided which includes a passive RF circuit (144) and an active RF circuit (142).

Abstract: A position/navigation device (10) and method is disclosed wherein a waypoint apparatus (11-14, 18, 43) sequentially designates and stores a continuous ordered sequence of n waypoints corresponding to positions of the device (10). Route and route reversal apparatus, (11-14, 18, 44) selects the stored sequence of n waypoints as a group without designating individual waypoints and forms a reverse route by reversing the order of the stored waypoints. Navigation means (14, 15, 18, 45) provides navigation information to an operator of the device (10) for following the reverse route to each of the n waypoints.

Abstract: Utility meter assembly (10) includes a utility meter (11) having an external housing (12) adjacent to which is mounted a remote meter reading module housing (25) that preferably is mounted to a pair of upstanding cylindrical posts (15 and 16) that rise from the utility meter housing (12). Preferably, flexible pins (32), which preferably are part of the module housing (25), bias the module housing (25), and a ground plane plate (26) within the module housing, towards a conductive surface (14) of the utility meter housing (12). The ground plane plate (26) coupled to the meter housing (12) and to the conductive surface (14) takes advantage of the meter as an extended ground plane or a counterpoise and thus increases the radiation efficiency of the antenna. This configuration permits the use of a shorter antenna (23) for power efficient transmission of meter data.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation apparatus (10) calculates an initial route to a destination (52) via connected road segments (55, 59) defined in a road map data base. In response to a can't do-reroute signal, indicative of the vehicle user determining unsuitability of following the initial route guidance instructions, a new route (55, 60, 61, 62, 59) to the destination is provided. Automatically excluded from the,new route is a maneuver (ordered road segment pair (55-59)) and/or a road segment of the initial route. This prevents the new route from including an initial guidance instruction which was determined as unsuitable. Also, calculated routes are provided by calculating the route from a predicated position of the vehicle at a subsequent time based on the vehicle's current position, direction and rate of travel. This ensures that when the route is provided at the subsequent time, the vehicle will not have passed the first maneuver to be implemented in the calculated route.

Abstract: An RF tag (20) includes a low profile battery power source (22). The RF tag includes an electrically insulating substrate 21, an RF transmitter (24) on the substrate for transmitting a predetermined identification code, and the battery (22). The battery includes a first pattern of conductive material to form a planar anode structure (48) and a second pattern of conductive material on the substrate to form a cathode structure (50). A protective layer (92) overlies the substrate. The protective layer includes an opening (94) to expose the anode and cathode of the battery to permit an electrolyte to be applied to the anode and cathode for completing the formation of the battery and to provide electrical energy to the RF transmitter. A manufacturing apparatus (60) is also described which permits the RF tags to be manufactured in a low cost, reel-to-reel, basis. Also described is a dispenser (100) for activating and dispensing the RF tags one at a time at a point of use.

Abstract: A tagging system (20) compensates for both resonant frequency spatial dependent shifts and resonant frequency dependent shifts for detecting data resonant circuits (DC1-DC6) on an RF tag 10 which is carried by a tagged object (34). The system includes at least one transmitter (26) and at least one receiver (28) for determining the actual resonant frequencies of reference resonant circuits (SC1-SC5, FC1-FC4) on the tag 10. A microprocessor controller (22), in response to the frequency difference between the undisturbed resonant frequencies of the reference resonant circuits and the actual resonant frequencies of the reference resonant circuits, provides compensating factors to compensate for the spatial and frequency effects of the resonant frequencies of the resonant circuits on the tag (10). The transmitter and receiver determine the actual resonant frequency of each data resonant circuit (DC1-DC6) on the tag (10).

Abstract: An RF tag (10) includes an RF receiver (16) and an RF transmitter (18). A power source (12) provides power to the receiver and transmitter. The power source includes a plurality of energy converters (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32). Each energy converter is responsive to a predetermined form of incident energy for converting its respective predetermined form of incident energy to electrical current. At least two of the energy converters are responsive to respective different predetermined forms of incident energy for providing electrical current. A storage capacitor (54) stores the electrical current provided by the energy converters and is coupled to the RF receiver and RF transmitter. A plurality of RF tags (10, 110, 140, 160) utilizing the power source 12 are also described.

Abstract: An RF tagging system which provides a large number of potential identification codes without increasing the physical size of RF tags used therein includes a plurality of RF tags (20, 90, 140, 230, 250) and an external reader (200). Each RF tag includes at least one resonant circuit (22, 92, 142, 231, 251) which is resonant at any one of a plurality of different frequencies, a receiver (34, 102, 152,244, 264) for receiving an interrogation signal, and a control (36,104,154,246, 266) responsive to receipt of an interrogation signal for causing its at least one resonant circuit to be resonant at selected ones of the different frequencies in a predetermined time sequence corresponding to a predetermined identification code. The external reader includes a detector (216, 218, 220, 222) for detecting the selected resonant frequencies of the RF tags and a decoder (226) for decoding the time sequence of the selected resonant frequencies for recovering the predetermined identification code.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board assembly (10) includes a flexible substrate (11) having first and second end portions (14,15) and an intermediate portion (16). Conductive metalization interconnect paths (17) extend between the substrate end portions (14, 15) and across the intermediate portion (16). The substrate first and second end portions are mounted to first and second end portions (21, 22) of a rigidizer plate (20). Stiffening material (35) is provided on the flexible substrate intermediate portion (16) to define stiff (36, 37, 38) and less stiff (39, 40) paths that extend across the interconnect paths (17) and the substrate intermediate portion (16) and define desired bend curvature characteristics for the flexible substrate intermediate portion (16). A method utilizes this structure to provide a flexible circuit board assembly (10), preferably with a bent rigidizer plate (20).

Abstract: Semiconductor carrier assemblies (10, 40) use a flexible substrate (11) to connect to at least one semiconductor device (19). Preferably the flexible substrate (11) also connects to a circuit component, preferably a circuit board (31). The flexible substrate (11) is configured in a U-shaped configuration having at least one rigidizer plate (25; 41, 42) positioned in the notch of the U. Interconnections between the semiconductor device (19) and the flexible substrate (11), and, preferably, the circuit component (31) are provided by solder connections (22, 28). Preferably, two rigidizer plates (41,42) having different temperature coefficients of expansion are positioned in the notch of the U of the flexible substrate (11) and preferably a low modulus adhesive layer (50, 51, 47) is utilized in the assembly to minimize thermal stress.

Abstract: A data transmission device (11; 111,) for use in a system (10) comprising a plurality of such devices is described along with a corresponding method of data transmission. A data signal (at 23) is provided for transmission and a timer apparatus (16, 18; 16, 118, 160) establishes a sequence of maximum time intervals (6 hours; 6 hours and 20 seconds) during which the data signal can be transmitted. A transmitter (18, 24, 25; 118, 24, 25) transmits the data signal during each of these maximum time intervals. The timer apparatus (16, 18; 16, 118, 160) generates a random number (steps 33, 54; steps 172, 195) for each one of the maximum time intervals, and the transmitter (18, 24, 25; 118, 24, 25) determines the transmission times for the data signal in accordance with the random numbers provided for each of these maximum time intervals.

Abstract: RF tagging system (10) has a plurality of resonant circuits (13) on a tag (12). When the tag (12) enters a detection zone (14), the system determines the resonant frequency of each of the resonant circuits (13) and produces a corresponding code. Preferably, resonant frequency detection is implemented by simultaneously radiating signals at each possible resonant frequencies for the tag circuits (13). The system is useful for coding any articles such as baggage or production inventory. Preferably, the radiated signals are phase shifted during the detection process, and signals received by receiver antennas, besides transmitter signals, may be monitored to improve the reliability of detecting the resonant circuits (13). Also, a preferred step adjustment configuration for capacitive metalizations (106, 110) of the resonant circuits is described.

Abstract: A phase winding detector (50) is preferably used to detect alternator (11) rotation in an alternator charging system (10). The detector (50) receives a single winding phase output signal (at 39) and utilizes a sampling apparatus (71, 74, 76) to provide a sampled phase output signal (at 75). A comparison circuit (70) provides an output by comparing the phase output signal with the sampled phase output signal, whereby a detection of variation in the phase output signal is provided (at terminals 85, 87 and 51). After initial detection of variation of the phase winding output signal, preferably additional circuitry (77, 79, 83) results in comparing the phase winding signal with a fixed reference threshold (V.sub.ref). Detection of a phase winding output signal is implemented without use of a substantial DC blocking capacitor and is implemented by monitoring only one input signal terminal.

Abstract: A device and method for sensing linear displacements between a first member (101) and a second member (102) on a same axis (108). The second member (102) substantially encompasses the first member (101). To sense the linear displacements, an optical code pattern (103) is placed on the first member (101) and an encircling optical sensor (104) is placed on the second member (102). The encircling optical sensor (104) includes light transmitting (106) and receiving (107) paths that transmit and receive light to/from the optical code pattern (103). The light received from the optical code pattern (103) is sent to a displacement calculation device (105) that determines the linear displacement of the first member (101) with respect to the second member (102).

Abstract: An elastomeric seating member and an assembly incorporating the same, particularly for solenoid coils of solenoid valves in ABS systems, is provided. The elastomeric seating member (40) provides a moisture resistant seal between a first housing (24) in which first members, such as the solenoid coils (26), are mounted and a second housing (48) in which electronic circuitry, such as the electronic control circuitry (38) for the solenoid valves, is mounted. The elastomeric seating member is mounted within a bore (32, 32a) communicating between the first and second housings and provides a seat for the solenoid coils and is arranged to permit the solenoid coils a limited amount of movement so that when the first housing is mounted on a valve block (20) comprising switch parts (30) of the solenoid valve, the elastomeric seating member permits the movement of the solenoid coils for alignment with the switch parts (30).

Abstract: A land vehicle navigation apparatus (10) has a vehicle navigation computer (11) which determines a navigation route and provides vehicle maneuver visual displays on a CRT display (13). The displays are preferably provided in the form of graphic arrow representations (26, 28) which are illustrated in perspective form with a tail of the arrow (26B, 28B) shown in the foreground and towards to the bottom of a display screen (20) and the head of the arrow (26A, 28A) shown in the background. A visual display of an effective bar graph, indicating the additional distance to be traveled prior to execution of the visually displayed vehicle maneuver, is visually provided and superimposed on the visually displayed vehicle maneuver graphic arrow. The bar graph comprises a series of stack horizontal bars (27, 29) superimposed on the arrow (26, 28) which is preferably shown in three dimensional form.