Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling access to or from a parking lot associated with a retail or other sales facility. The parking lot has an automatically operated, normally closed access gate and an optical scanner. Patrons may access the parking lot free of charge by displaying purchased merchandise such that the scanner reads a bar code inscribed upon the merchandise. Data corresponding to the scanned bar code is compared to data entered into the memory of an automated data processing device. If that comparison results in establishing a correlation between data from the scanned merchandise and data entered into memory corresponding to merchandise stocked by the sales facility for vending, then a control signal is generated and transmitted to the access gate. The access gate then opens and allows the vehicle submitting merchandise for scanning to access the parking facility.

Abstract: After confirmation that a user is an authorized user by bringing a user certification into proximity to a user discrimination device, following the guidance of a touch panel display device, a desired two wheeled electric vehicle is selected. A key is retrieved from a key supply device, and a battery is retrieved from a battery supply device. Thereafter, the battery is installed in the two wheeled vehicle in a parking apparatus, and using the key, the two wheeled electric vehicle is unlocked and used.

Abstract: The data storing method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a data encoded signal; (b) sampling the received data encoded signal at a first sampling rate; (c) counting the number of consecutive samples at a first logic level; (d) storing the number of samples counted in step (c) in a first portion of a memory template; (e) counting the number of consecutive samples at a second logic level; (f) comparing the number of samples counted in step (e) to a threshold value; (g) changing the sampling rate at which the received data encoded signal is sampled and counting the number of consecutive samples at the second logic level if the number of samples counted in step (e) exceeds the threshold value; and (h) storing in the memory template, the number of samples counted in step (e) if the threshold was not exceeded, or the number of samples counted in step (g) if the threshold value was exceeded. The apparatus includes a processor programmed to perform the above steps.

Abstract: A system for locating an individual in a facility, the system including a portable wireless transponder device borne by the individual; an interrogator; and a plurality of antennas distributed in the facility, the antennas being selectively separately connected to the interrogator, the interrogator when connected to any of the antennas having a communications range covering less than the area of the entire facility, the interrogator being configured to repeatedly transmit a wireless command to the portable wireless transponder device using alternating antennas, the portable wireless transponder device being configured to transmit data identifying the portable wireless transponder device in response to a command if the portable wireless transponder device is within communications range of the antenna sending the command, the individual being locatable by determining with which antenna the interrogator was able to establish communications with the portable wireless transponder device.

Abstract: The casing of a passive proximity transceiver includes a protrusion which extends from the main body of the casing to prevent metal objects from touching the main body, where they would otherwise be close enough to interfere with reception of signals transmitted between the passive proximity transceiver and another electronic device. The casing may be arranged to be mounted on a key ring, with the protrusion being in the form of a collar extending around the main body.

Abstract: A remote control receiving system includes a squaring circuit for squaring the received signal before filtering. The filtered signal is applied to an envelope detector for distinguishing a control signal from external noise. Accordingly, external optical or electrical noise is substantially removed from the control signal such that remote control communication is substantially enhanced.

Abstract: A disk arrangement is formed for a key by installing a plurality of disks, where each disk is either penetrable or non-penetrable by infrared light, into a plurality of through holes in the key. Selection of different types of disk for installation results in different disk arrangements for the key and the key is specified by its own disk arrangement. A lock is set to identify the key by detecting and storing the disk arrangement of the key by transmitting and receiving infrared light through the disks. The detected disk arrangement is stored in a memory device of the lock.

Abstract: Remote starting of an internal combustion engine/electric generator set is obtained by sensing a connected appliance switch closure over the cord connecting the appliance to the generator and starting the combustion engine in response to that closure. After the engine is started the appliance is connected to the generator. After a predetermined time of nonuse of the appliance the combustion engine is stopped.