Abstract: When a driving assistance system of a navigation device in a subject vehicle is able to communicate with a cooperative remote driving assistance system in an oncoming vehicle, images are obtained from individual front monitor cameras of the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. These obtained images are exchanged. From within these images, common objects are recognized to thereby compute a positional relationship between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. The computed positional relationship is then shown in a display unit by a vehicular model using an outline of a top view of a vehicle. Consequently, a driver can intuitively recognize the positional relationship between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle by seeing the display unit.

Abstract: A sound intensity display system for use by performers. The invention is a system which displays indications of sound intensity on a display large enough to be viewed by performers distant from the display. This invention allows indication of a sufficient number of different sound intensity ranges to make the system useful for performers including, but not limited to, musical performers. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the display face is permanently marked with “ppp” and “fff.” In that embodiment, vertical variable display elements styled as line segments can be selectively illuminated by light emitting diodes based on the sound intensity. This embodiment includes a built in microphone and a female jack connection to allow the optional use of an external microphone. That embodiment can be battery powered or powered by an external power supply through a jack-connection, at the option of the user. Other embodiments include ones capable of receiving and displaying inputs from multiple channels.

Abstract: The present invention is a simple, inexpensive and reliable device for monitoring and alerting of a power disruption to an appliance or a piece of equipment. An audible and/or visual alarm may be generated in the event that a specific or a piece of electrical equipment becomes disconnected from its electrical source. The device for monitoring and alerting of a power disruption may operate from an internal battery in case the electrical power source to the appliance disrupted. Additionally, a power-surge-suppression, a rechargeable battery, and a charger for the battery may make the device more reliable. The remote receiver may receive a broadcasted alarm signal from the monitoring device and then notify a user with a visual and/or audible alarm at a location where the alarm is more likely to be seen and heard.

Abstract: An improved system and method are disclosed for indicating the validity of airport runway visual approach slope indicators on an aircraft display. An aircraft display system is provided, which includes a database for storing data about the specific visual approach slope lighting indicator system being used by each airport of a plurality of airports and any special distance and/or usage limitations associated with each such visual approach slope indicator system, a processing unit, a position determination unit, and a visual display. As an aircraft approaches an airport, the processing unit receives the aircraft's current position from the position determination unit, and compares the aircraft's current position data with the distance and/or usage limitation data stored in the database for the approach slope indicator system being used by that airport.

Abstract: A wheel sensor communication system (10) includes a primary coil (30) and a secondary coil (32), which operate as an electromagnetic transformer which is uncoupled mechanically but coupled electrically through a vehicle wheel assembly rotational interface. The electromagnetic transformer provides for the transfer of energy and data from a sensor (18) to a controller (14).

Abstract: In order to provide a triggering signal for a cable stripping device that is also capable of dealing with very thin wires, it is suggested to use a piezoelectric sensor, the output signal from which is forwarded to an electronic evaluation unit. The electronic evaluation unit then outputs a digital signal that enables the stripping process to be started safely. Various mechanical mechanisms are suggested to ensure that the digital signal is not triggered when not being touched. This problem is proposed to be solved by a low pass filter discriminating between sensor inputs by touching and vibration shock events, etc.

Abstract: In a method of communicating data from a mobile floor cleaner to a remote receiver a data communication is initiated from a communicator of the mobile floor cleaner to the remote receiver and data is communicated to the remote receiver with the communicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sensing information about the position and/or movements of the body of a living being or a part of the body inside the body, in particular for use in a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps: Send (18) an electromagnetic signal (15) that includes, according to the invention, frequencies in the radar range, to a predetermined area of the body of a living being, Receive (20) an electromagnetic signal (22) reflected from the area of the body, Evaluate (30) the captured receive signal (22) with regard for the difference in delay time and/or frequency relative to the transmit signal (15) to determine the information. With the method according to the present invention, the breathing and heart rate and the position of the body of a driver of a motor vehicle can be monitored in contactless fashion during the drive.

Abstract: A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A warning system may be incorporated so that imminent expiration of the limited-use functions initiate warnings for the benefit of the end-user.

Abstract: A consciousness judging apparatus, which detects a vehicle driving state and judges consciousness of a driver, comprising a monotonousness detection section to obtain monotonousness, a camera which captures an image of a road surface in the vehicle running direction, a meander quantity detection section which detects the meander quantity based on the road surface image taken by the camera, a correction section which corrects and increases the monotonousness when the meander quantity detected this time by the meander quantity detection section is larger than the meander quantity detected last time by the meander quantity detection section by the value greater than a predetermined value ?, and a fuzzy inference section which infers a driver's consciousness based on the monotonousness corrected by the correction section and meander quantity.

Abstract: An active anti-theft device for protecting movable property having a computer device, at least one stationary connector, at least one portable connector, at least one sensor, a power source and an alarm is described. The active anti-theft device may also have a key switch, remote control and light. The computer device is the central unit which sends a signal to the other components of the active anti-theft device. The stationary connector attaches to a stationary object. The portable connector(s) and sensor(s) attach to various parts of the movable property. The connectors and sensors connect to the computer device by cable connections, which enable the connector(s) and sensor(s) to be connected to and thereby protect various components of the movable property. If a signal sent by the computer device to a connector or sensor does not return to the computer device as predetermined by a monitoring setup, the alarm sounds indicating that a connection to a component has been broken or disabled.

Abstract: An item tracking system for tracking an item within a structure having at least one aperture through which the item is passed is provided. The item tracking system comprises a radio frequency tag attached to the item, a reader operably connected to a reader antenna, a processor operably connected to the reader, and a vertically suspended movable support for the reader antenna. The tag has item information stored therein and the reader is capable of reading the item information from the tag. The processor receives and stores the item information from the reader and the movable support is suspended from a location adjacent the top of the aperture. The support and reader antenna can move around the item to permit the item to pass through the aperture and the reader reads the item information from the tag when the item passes through the aperture using the reader antenna.

Abstract: The invention involves the usage of radio frequency, infrared, and low frequency radio frequency to accurately track transponders (tags) that are placed on objects. Transponders about the size of a small watch or a badge that can be worn on a lapel or pocket are used. The transponders are attached to staff, assets, and/or patients. Typically, ceiling mounted readers are used. The system utilizes the readers to triangulate the position of the transponders. The transponders can triangulate to a resolution accuracy of a couple of inches to 10 feet within 4 seconds. The system is also capable of triangulating the position of tags when they are lost to IR using RF. The system works with vector floor plans (AutoCAD or Microstation). This enables the system to function so that detail doesn't deteriorate even with large areas (100,000 square feet to unlimited miles). This enables accurate reading of room labels to quickly identify exact location of tags.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a television system having an internal microphone for implementing a voice-messaging system. Using the microphone, the television system detects a message spoken by a user of the television system, and records the message to a memory. Some embodiments of the invention may also record metadata about the message. Embodiments of the invention alert an intended recipient of the message using the audio output or video output of the television system, and subsequently reproduce the message using the audio output of the television system. Other embodiments of the invention are described in the specification and the claims.

Abstract: The present invention can be generally described as a blade monitoring and wireless communications system. This monitoring and communications system is formed by the integration of commonly available or easily developed hardware and/or software components, which may be controlled by non-proprietary, open architecture software. This allows the present invention to easily incorporate a variety of sensors and/or detectors; thereby, providing the user with the first blade monitoring system capable of providing an improved blade monitoring capability.

Abstract: To issue a warning against an improper (a lowered) air pressure in accordance with a vehicle state and driver's presence/absence, the warning system includes air pressure measuring means for measuring an air pressure of a tire of a vehicle; air pressure judging means for judging whether or not the air pressure is proper; warning issuing means for issuing, if a result of the judgment is negative, a warning; and driver on-board judging means for judging whether or not a driver is on board the vehicle; and driver detecting means for detecting whether or not the driver is in the proximity to the vehicle. If the results of the judgments by the air pressure judging means and the driver on-board judging means are negative and a result of the detection by the driver detecting means is positive, the warning issuing means issues the warning outside the vehicle.

Abstract: The device according to the invention has a sensor (5) for generating and detecting an electromagnetic field situated in the vicinity of a moving part (1) that should not be touched. The device according to the invention also has an evaluation unit (8) that is connected to the sensor (5) in order to evaluate sensor signals that can be generated by the sensor (5), wherein the evaluation unit (8) can generate an evaluation signal. Finally, a control unit (9) connected to the evaluation unit (8) is provided, which is designed and can be operated so as to control the movement of the part (1) as a function of the evaluation signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to testing equipment 20 for a fire alarm 1. It includes a testing pole (21), a range spacer (23) connected to the testing pole (21), and a reflective means and/or scattering means situated in the inside of the essentially pot-shaped designed range spacer (23).

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for indicating valid data in a removable memory media. In an embodiment of the invention, an alert may be employed with the removable media, such as NVRAM, to indicate that the battery backup is functional and that the memory content may be valid. One type of alert may be a blinking light source, such as a blinking light emitting diode (LED). In a another aspect of the present invention, contents of an appliance, such as a computer or storage controller, may be arranged so that an alert employed on the removable memory media in accordance with the present invention may be visible to an administrator without opening the chassis of the appliance.