Patents Examined by Alvin H. Waring
  • Patent number: 4361826
    Abstract: Normally-open switches in series with a power source to an alarm device are closed by simultaneous actuation of a motor vehicle clutch and accelerator to provide an alarm to the operator. Means are provided for preventing the generation of an alarm during low-gear start-up and/or during synchronized operation of the controls for gear changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Inventor: Restituto P. Catala
  • Patent number: 4359715
    Abstract: A diagnostic means is connected to various electrical locations in an air bag system to detect and process faults. When a fault is detected, it is assigned a unique code sequence consisting of equally spaced pulses of equal length. The number of pulses determines the fault which is indicated by a single light inside the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Peter Langer, Carlos Dominguez
  • Patent number: 4359714
    Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle such that warning information is first indicated to the driver in voice form when car-radio sound volume is reduced, and next in alarm sound form, without reducing the car-radio sound volume, until the driver takes a proper action. The system thus improved comprises a discriminator having a memory, a coincidence counter, a gate, AND circuits, and OR circuits, and an alarm generator, in addition to sensors and a voice output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masakazu Tsunoda, Kazuyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 4358756
    Abstract: An alarm transmission system with portable receivers for watching a site, which system comprises a plurality of portable and removable autonomous detection units, a plurality of portable autonomous receiving modules capable of releasing signalling or warning means incorporated to the said receiving modules upon receipt of signals sent by a transmission unit and a central information-receiving and processing unit equipped with at least one receiving module, and in which system the signal transmission unit is constituted on the one hand by radio-transmission and coding means associated to each detection unit and on the other hand by means of reception by radio-link and decoding means incorporated to each portable receiving module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Agence Centrale de Services (ACDS)
    Inventors: Pierre A. A. A. Morel, Marc P. L. Pittavino
  • Patent number: 4357602
    Abstract: A fire detection system is provided employing a plurality of electronic fire detection units, each of which is a code generating and short wave transmitting unit which derives electrical energy for powering the unit from the heat of a fire. In one form, each unit is operable to generate a specific code identifying the unit and its location which code is short wave transmitted directly to a monitor station. The receipt and recording or display of the code is an indication of the location of the unit which becomes activated by heat. The extent of the fire can be determined by the number of units which are so activated as indicated by the number of different codes received by the monitor station. Each detection unit is preferably self insulated against immediate destruction of the electronic circuit thereof, to permit the unit to transmit a remotely detectable code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson
  • Patent number: 4356470
    Abstract: A multifunction electronic meter for a vehicle can display selectively plural measured informations of fuel amount, cooling water temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage and the like of a vehicle on a single display section, the displayed informations being accompanied respectively with combinations of symbolmarks and surrounding frames thereof for identifying and warning those informations.The principal information of, for instance, fuel amount is ordinarily displayed, while the remaining informations are displayed selectively as occasion demands, for instance, in response to the occurrence of an emergency. When plural emergencies are simultaneously caused, the information corresponding to the lastly caused emergency is displayed intermittently together with the symbolmark, while only the symbolmarks and the frames of the informations corresponding to the previously caused emergencies are displayed continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kogawa, Teruo Kawasaki, Hiroyuki Nomura, Hiroshi Yano
  • Patent number: 4356477
    Abstract: An electronic security system utilizing a transmitter and receiver in combination with a resonant tag circuit which is responsive to at least one frequency of electromagnetic radiation. The transmitter provides electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined area at a frequency close to the resonant frequency of the resonant tag circuit. The transmitter additionally modulates its frequency with a detection modulation frequency F.sub.d. The receiver is responsive to electromagnetic radiation and picks up at least a component of the detection modulation frequency F.sub.d. In a preferred embodiment, this component is an AM signal radiated by the resonant tag circuit when the tag circuit is in turn activated by the frequency modulated transmitter frequency. A detection logic circuit responsive to the presence of AM signal at frequency F.sub.d, signals an appropriate alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Inventor: Jan Vandebult
  • Patent number: 4356474
    Abstract: A digital alarm system of the type having first and second electrically conductive loops connected by an alarm switch. The alarm switch is normally open, but can be closed when an alarm state exists to electrically short one loop to the other. Currents are generated in each of the loops for use in detecting either the closing of the alarm switch or the occurrence of a fault in one of the loops. Resistors are connected to each of the loops for use in detecting the presence or absence of the currents. A first pair of transistor switches alternatingly short-circuit one resistor then the other; and a second pair of transistor switches, synchronized with the first pair, alternatingly short the ends of one loop then those of the other so that when the alarm switch is closed the first pair of transistor switches simultaneously short-circuit both resistors even if a fault occurs anywhere in one of the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Contronic Controls Limited
    Inventors: Peter Humphries, Paul Aeberli
  • Patent number: 4355299
    Abstract: A plurality of fluid filled hoses sealed at one end are arranged in parallel in the wheel path and direction of travel of the vehicle, the hoses relatively spaced at a distance dependent on the tire tread width to ensure contact by each tire's footprint with at least two hoses, each hose is connected at the opposite end to an associated pressure transducer which provides sensed signal information of the actual fluid pressure in the hose at all times, whereby the sensed hose pressure signal information, in response to the applied vehicle load on the hoses provides a tire inflation pattern for the vehicle which may be compared with a reference pattern for normal inflation to determine adequate tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Willard G. Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4355298
    Abstract: An aircraft low or flat tire flight deck warning system monitors the rotational speed and thus, the condition of the tires. A differential tire rotational speed signal is compared to a variable reference by a comparator which generates a warning signal when the differential signal is greater than or equal to the reference. The reference signal is derived from one of the tire rotation signals or from an independent ground speed signal and is therefore proportional to the rotational speed of a properly inflated tire and to the aircraft ground speed. Separate references and comparators cooperate to generate separate warning signals for distinct dangerous tire conditions. The warning signals are inhibited under a variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory M. Jessup
  • Patent number: 4354182
    Abstract: Faulty excitation of the generator-regulator unit in the electrical system of a motor vehicle with resultant changes in the regulator output is indicated by the lighting of a light-emitting diode connected between the ignition switch and a Zener diode furnishing a constant reference voltage. A voltage divider is connected from the ignition switch to the negative battery terminal. One voltage divider tap is connected to the regulator input. When the regulator is underexcited, the voltage drop across the LED is sufficient to cause it to light. Alternatively, a first LED can be provided for indicating underexcitation of the generator and a second one for indicating overexcitation. For this purpose, the first LED is connected between the ignition switch and the regulator input terminal, while the second one is connected between the Zener diode and the regulator input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wunibald Frey
  • Patent number: 4354173
    Abstract: An arrangement which provides an indication of the economy of motor vehicle operation includes a number of sensors for detecting different vehicle operating factors including engine speed, distances travelled by the vehicle, and the position of the engine throttle. An acceleration measuring device is coupled to the distance sensor to determine the vehicle acceleration. Circuitry coupled to the sensors including the acceleration measuring device provides operating condition values in the form of code word elements. This circuitry includes a first comparator for setting a first set of threshold values so that the code word elements provided by the first comparator each correspond to a certain engine speed range. The circuitry also includes a second comparator operative to set a second set of threshold values so that the code word elements provided by the second comparator each correspond to a certain acceleration range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Kienzle Apparate GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kuhn, Max Kolar, Robert Weber, Siegfried Koch
  • Patent number: 4353055
    Abstract: A vehicle such as an automobile comprises various auxiliary devices for implementing auxiliary functions such as electrical equipment, windows, doors, a parking brake, a transmission and the like, in addition to a principal scheme for a running operation of the vehicle. The vehicle also comprises two alarms, one being provided for raising an alarm inside the vehicle and the other being provided for raising an alarm outside the vehicle. When a driver leaves the vehicle after he ends the drive, a predetermined undesired state of various auxiliary devices, such as a switch for the circuit of electrical equipment being kept turned on, the window or door being not fully closed, the parking brake being not put on and so on is detected, when the key switch is turned off. Upon detection of such undesired state, first the inside alarm is energized and after a predetermined time period the outside alarm is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Kawakatsu, Toshikazu Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 4352089
    Abstract: A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle wherein the voice output volume is automatically adjusted to an optimum sound level for the automotive vehicle driver according to the output volume level of audio equipment provided in the vehicle. The system thus improved comprises a memory for storing the volume adjustment level of the audio equipment and a voice volume controller for controlling the volume level of messages indicating various items of information on the automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yano, Masakazu Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 4352090
    Abstract: An automobile detection and alarm device detects obstacles near the automobile and abnormal conditions of tires on the automobile. An oscillator is provided which either oscillates or does not oscillate depending upon the value of a capacitance present between first and second electrodes. Preferably one of the electrodes is connected to the automobile body and the other electrode is either grounded or is connected to an antenna which is mounted on the automobile but insulated there from. Obstacles near the car change the effective capacitance between the two electrodes either by providing a dielectric effect or by acting themselves as an extension of electrical ground. In order to detect abnormal pressure of tires, the capacity between the car body and ground or between a steel portion of a steel radial tire and ground is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Satoru Ohama
  • Patent number: 4352088
    Abstract: An audible warning system of the present invention comprises sensors for detecting abnormal vehicle conditions, means for outputting corresponding speech warning information in response to any one of the sensors, and a relay to cut off or reduce the sound volume from other audio equipment provided within the same vehicle. Since the audible warning system thus improved can cut off or reduce the volume of sound other than warning information, the driver can hear the warning information clearly without interference from other sound even while other audio equipment within the same vehicle is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Masakazu Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 4349809
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the angle of inclination of a vehicle and for providing an alarm signal when the inclination of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined maximum safe level. An elongate, pliant tubular member made of an electrically conductive material has its intermediate segment mounted by an insulative clamp to a vertical panel which may be situated on the vehicle's dashboard. The end segments of the tubular member are upwardly inclined, and the degree of inclination is shown by angular indicia on adjacent portions of the vertical panel. A plurality of spherical contact elements made of an electrically conductive material are positioned within the tubular member. A pair of contact points made of an electrically conductive material are inserted into the opposite ends of the tubular member. When the angle of inclination of the vehicle exceeds the safe level, the contact elements will strike one of the contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Inventor: Marcus B. Tomes
  • Patent number: 4348654
    Abstract: A tire internal pressure control apparatus for tired vehicles comprising a resonance coil assembly secured to a rotational body of a vehicle and an oscillation coil assembly secured to a stationary vehicle body side, these assemblies being distant apart from each other and electromagnetically coupled with each other and operative to produce resonance phenomenon and generate a signal sensitive to the internal pressure of the tire. The signal is displayed at a driver's seat without utilizing any expensive and complex integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Bridgestone Tire Company Limited
    Inventors: Akira Matsuda, Yoshihiro Hayakawa, Shigeo Yasuda, Motoaki Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 4348653
    Abstract: A system for indicating an abnormal condition of an automobile in which the condition of inspection items relating to the driving of the automobile is detected, and running speed of the automobile is detected. The system decides that the condition of an inspection item has reached a first abnormal level, and upon detection of the stoppage of the automobile after the time point of the decision, a voice cautioning the driver of the abnormal condition of the inspection item is automatically generated. Upon detection of the fact that a second abnormal level higher than the first abnormal level has been reached, a voice warning the driver of the abnormal condition of the inspection item is generated regardless of the driving condition of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Tsuzuki, Hiroshi Okazaki, Shinji Shirasaki, Masahiro Matsuyama, Masanobu Kobayashi, Yoji Ito
  • Patent number: 4346377
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying reduced and expanded size characters in a photocomposition device encodes each of a set of normalized characters in a series of overlapping strokes each stroke being encoded by start point coordinates and a first and second dimension of said shape, encodes a set of instructions describing the display placement and size of the characters, determines the display locations coextensive with each stroke and storing the locations, and accesses the stored locations for display of the strokes and the characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Eltra Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Green