Abstract: The sudden unrolling of an motor driven overhead door is a hazardous occurrence. The invention provides a method of detection and warning of a damaged counterbalance mechanism or other defect in the door lifting assembly. The amperage readings of the drive motor are observed to increase between 5% and 30%, above that of normal operation when the function of the counterbalance assembly or similar drive assembly component is compromised. The method is reduced to practice as a number of alternative electronic circuits which are placed between the line power source and the drive motor. The circuit senses the motor amperage draw and compares the reading with a preset threshold value. Upon the sensed value exceeding the threshold value, a warning is broadcast. This method alerts one of undue strain on a damaged lifting assembly prior to its catastrophic failure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a security system. The system comprises a detector for producing an alarm signal. The system comprises a cord connected to the detector along which the alarm signal is transmitted. The system comprises a mechanism for securing the cord to a communication jack which produces an alarm when the cord is separated from the communication jack.

Abstract: A parking device for a motor vehicle has a movement sensor, at least one distance sensor, a control unit, a unit for outputting driving directions, the control unit calculating circular segments for a possible drive path of the motor vehicle in parking space, so that the a unit for outputting driving directions output driving and steering directions optically or acoustically to a driver of the motor vehicle, the control unit being formed so that for a rearward parking the driving and steering directions are provided only for a partial path of a total parking path.

Abstract: A housing assembly for an ISDN multimedia capable wireless interface device having a plurality of operating capabilities. The housing assembly comprises a main housing, a cover, hinge assembly for coupling the cover to the main housing. The hinge assembly enables the cover to pivot and articulate relative to the main housing to transform the housing assembly into a plurality of mechanical configurations via sensors responsive to the pivoting and articulating of the cover provided in the housing assembly. The cover includes an illuminated keyboard having a display for selectively providing pixel-based graphics and light. The keyboard is disposed over the display when the device is operating in one of a plurality of operational modes. Each keypad of the keyboard has an image viewing surface and coherent light pipe mechanism for conducting light generated by the display to the image viewing surface the keypad.

Abstract: A panel instrument apparatus of reduced size, comprising a printed circuit board on which light emitting elements and switches are mounted, and a panel cover to the rear of which the front face of the printed circuit board is attached. The panel cover comprises reflecting holes arranged in positions corresponding to the light emitting elements on the printed circuit board to guide light from the light emitting elements to the surface of the panel cover; and furthermore comprises resilient links and coupled thereto keys which are located in positions corresponding to the switches on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator has a spring-operated sensor mounted in an air chamber of a housing that attaches to a tire pressure valve. Indicator has adjustment screws, accessible from the exterior of the housing, for setting the sensor to a low level of acceptable tire pressure and a high level of acceptable tire pressure. When the pressure level outside of the set limits is detected, a bicolor light emitting diode provides a warning to a driver.

Abstract: A crash determination device employed in a vehicle side impact passenger protection system uses logic circuits or microcomputers to correctly determine whether an impact is a crash with an obstruction such as another vehicle by making use of a phase difference between detected accelerations of a side acceleration sensor and a central acceleration sensor. By making use of the phase difference between detected accelerations of side and center acceleration sensors, a high-speed crash can be correctly distinguished from a low-speed impact and an erroneous determination resulting in the passenger protection system being operated in a side impact situation not necessitating operation of the passenger protection system can be avoided.

Abstract: A system and method that monitors four wheel sensors of an automotive vehicle to determine changes in the effective rolling radii of any wheel and a low pressure tire condition. Certain vehicle operating conditions, such as excessive or very low speeds, driven wheel torque, braking, and turns, are determined from the sensor outputs and are used to prevent erroneous detection of changes in effective rolling radius. Data from the sensors that is determined to be acceptable is accumulated over time as displacement values for each wheel. When the displacement values exceed a predetermined value, a metric function is used to compare differences detected in accumulated displacement values for the front pair of wheels and for the rear pair of wheels. If the difference between compared pairs of wheels is excessive, as compared with a predetermined baseline metric value, a low tire condition is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing active entertainment for persons waiting for service in which such persons are provided with an electronic pager assembly for notifying when service is available includes an electronically controllable pager assembly having a controllable screen display which is programmed with information likely to be desirable to a person holding the pager. A set of instructions enabling a person to access the information programmed in the pager assembly is printed on the assembly. The pager notification capability functions regardless of whether the information display is or is not active.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a coordinates input apparatus whereby various operations on a screen can be carried out where practicable with one finger, and the number of operations reduced, thus giving a marked improvement in user operability. The coordinates input apparatus of the invention therefore comprises a detection section and an operating section. The detection section is provided with an operating surface for operation by a coordinates pointer such as a finger, and detects the operating conditions on the operating surface caused by the coordinates pointer. The operating section executes screen operations corresponding to the operating condition detected by the detection section, and in addition detects tapping of the coordinates pointer on the operating surface within a predetermined region, and carries out previously determined processing.

Abstract: An electronic pillbox includes a plurality of compartments for storing different medications, an LCD-based user interface for interacting with a user, and a software-programmable electronic computer for controlling the administration functions of the pillbox. The pillbox may also include a battery and one or more types of alarms. Using the user interface, a user can schedule a multiple drug therapy by inputting sleeping pattern data and a dosage amount for a particular compartment. The computer automatically calculates the dosage schedule based on this information, and automatically recalculates the schedule if this information is altered by the user. A visual indicator on the user interface is illuminated when a particular medication is to be taken, and at the same time an audible and/or mechanical alarm may be activated. The combination of the visual and audible or mechanical alarms ensures that the correct medication is administered according to the programmed schedule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which aims to improve safety and reliability in a remote engine starting and stopping device for construction machines. A starting signal for starting an engine is transmitted to a construction machine from a transmission which is separate from the construction machine. The starting signal is received by a receiver on the construction machine. When the starting signal is received by the receiver, an engine starting device is driven for starting of an engine on condition that an operating lever for a working machine being on a neutral position is detected by a neutral position detection. As a result, a danger of the working machine coming into motion in an unmanned state is avoided for improvement of safety. Further, if the engine having worked is detected by a working condition detection after an engine starting device is driven by the engine start, the engine is made to work until a predetermined period of time elapses after a point of time when the detection is effected.

Abstract: An ozone/supersonic wave insect expelling device has an ozone generating circuit and a supersonic wave generating circuit which use the same power source so to generate supersonic wave for expelling pest insect, and for generating ozone for clearing the air. Therefore, ozone/supersonic wave insect expelling device has a dual effect.

Abstract: A modular messaging sign panel contains a plurality of LEDs coupled to a plurality of latched drivers. A microcontroller on the panel has a unique serial number permitting the panel to be selectively addressed by a host. The microcontroller receives serial data representing an image frame, selects the data intended for the panel in which it controls and clocks it out to the latched drivers along a single serial data line. Multiple panels can be connected to form a larger display panel system. Each panel has its own uniquely addressed microcontroller. A three wire connection couples the panel or display system to a computer and a power supply. A single jumper wire connects each modular panel together such that the data output from the computer is received by every microcontroller within the system in a parallel configuration.

Abstract: A powerline communication system comprises a master and slave configuration in which the master provides both operating power and control commands to the slave over a single pair of wires. The slave, in turn, is able to communicate its status to the master with a return communications channel on the same pair of wires. Each sender impresses its signals on the power lines with an isolation transformer coupled to the gate of a power MOSFET transistor that shunts the power lines. Each receiver samples the signals from the sender with an isolation transformer that has its primary winding placed in series with the power lines. The master initiates a synchronizing pulse and places data in various timeslots. The slave follows with an initiating sync pulse followed by data in a group of timeslots. Edge-detection, rather than level-detection is used at the receivers for added immunity to supply and load changes. A double-pulse sync is used for special time slot reporting.

Abstract: A device for improving vehicle driving safety and comfort is disclosed. The main road sign information encountered during a journey is transmitted to the vehicle, the position of the vehicle on the driving surface is continuously monitored, and the road surface is checked for the presence of foreign matter such as mud, snow, ice, etc. A set of transmitting-receiving sensors (C1, C2) suitably arranged on the vehicle and facing the driving surface continuously observes changes in the reflective properties of the observed areas within the sensitivity range thereof. Markings defining lanes and shoulders lined with grassy, gravelly or sandy areas are sensed by the sensors (C1, C2) as soon as the vehicle approaches or drives over them. The signals from the sensors (C1, C2) are processed by an electronic unit (1) controlling an on-board signalling system (2) linked to an alarm system (3) for warning the driver of road hazards and possible unsafe driving (straying off-course, speeding, etc.).

Abstract: A display device having driving circuits one for each of its light-emitting elements permits easy inspection of the driving circuits. The display device is formed as a fluorescent display tube that has an array of light-emitting units each consisting of a light-emitting element and its driving circuit. The display device further has a multiple-stage AND circuit consisting of 2-input AND circuits connected sequentially. One input of each stage is connected to the output of one of the driving circuits, another input of the first stage is connected to a power line, and the output of the last stage is connected to an inspection terminal, so that inspection is performed by checking whether a driving voltage appears at the inspection terminal. By activating all the driving circuits, whether they are functioning properly when they are in operation is checked globally; then, by deactivating one of the driving circuits, whether they are functioning properly when they are not in operation is checked individually.

Abstract: A radar detecting circuit adapted to be on the vehicle detects a radar signal and selectively provides a radar detect signal in response to detecting the radar signal. The vehicle's speed is determined such as indicated by a tachometer signal or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver adapted to be on the vehicle and providing a GPS speed signal representative of the vehicle speed. An alarm responsive to both the radar detect signal and the GPS speed signal provides an alarm indication when a radar signal is detected and the vehicle speed is above a preset maximum, such as the speed limit. The operator indicates the present maximum speed via an input device such as a keypad or via voice recognition software.

Abstract: A signal control apparatus includes an electrically resistive strip (4) allowing close proximity of a finger. A signal can be coupled into the strip, and a signal output (V1) can be detected at one end of the strip. The structure (1, 3) for coupling a signal into the strip (4) produces a high frequency signal in the strip and a signal output (V2) can be detected at the other end of the strip. These outputs (V1, V2) are dependent, in use, on the position along the strip of a finger in close proximity thereto and provide, by capacitive coupling to the strip (4), a leakage path for some of the signal. The last position of a finger along the strip (4) can be visually indicated when that finger has been removed. The strip (4) is on the underside of an insulating plate (10), the upper side of which has a path (11) for a finger to follow.

Abstract: A "no touch", two state switch is controlled by light emitted thereby which is reflected back to the switch to actuate or deactuate the switch when reflected by a hand or other object spaced from but adjacent to the switch.