Abstract: A remote controlled mobile traffic control system which can be used in the place of a human flag person. A mobile platform with an adjustable traffic control indicator thereon is controlled by a remote control. The operator can move the platform and change the indication of the traffic control apparatus from a safe distance. The apparatus permits “flagging” of traffic in a moving traffic control zone arrangement, and operational safety is maximized. A traffic barrier arm is movable between deployed and retracted positions obstructing the path of oncoming traffic, for example by a remote controlled actuator or by remote controlled turning of the platform. A remote alarm unit accompanies to the work crew to alarm them of traffic entering the work zone without authorization or at unsafe speed. The apparatus can travel with a moving or changing work zone, either by human remote control or autonomous “follow me” functionality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of ice crystals in an environment, implemented by a detection device in relative motion with respect to said environment, said method comprising at least: an emission step, in which at least one optical radiation is emitted by the detection device into the environment; a reception step, in which at least a portion of the emitted optical radiation is received, a step of calculating a comparison signal, and a step of calculating the noise of the comparison signal, a thresholding step, in which the noise is compared to a defined threshold, a communication step, in which a signal indicating detection of the presence of ice crystals in the environment is transmitted when the noise is greater than the defined threshold.

Abstract: An automatic turn-signal system including a steering wheel, a first turn-signal switch and a second turn-signal switch. The steering wheel is associated with a vehicle. The first turn-signal switch is mounted to the steering wheel. The second turn-signal switch is mounted to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A gutter system includes an indicator for indicating that the gutter system is clogged or partially clogged. The indicator includes a floating device such as a ball. There is provided a retainer that retains the ball within the gutter system and in the vicinity of a downspout and downspout opening that forms a part of a gutter system. The retainer comprises a housing of an open construction and includes a bottom, sidewall structure and a top portion. Since the housing is an open construction, water passing through the gutter can normally flow through the housing. When the gutter system is clear and does not have any substantial obstructions, it follows that the water accumulation within the gutter will be relatively small. However, when the gutter system is clogged or partially clogged, then there will be some accumulation of water in the gutter system. When there is accumulation of water, the floating device will float to an upper elevated position where the same can be seen from ground level.

Abstract: A method and a vehicle (11) for sending electronic advertising announcements, information news or voice messages are described. A controllable, moving, unmanned vehicle (11) moves in a network of communication devices (9, 20) in a direction. When the vehicle (11) moves close to a communication device (9, 20) the sending of an electronic advertising announcement, information news or voice message to the communication device (9, 20) is triggered by the vehicle (11) itself or by another communication device (1), for example by a message server (1) within a telecommunication network (8). The vehicle (11) itself has a memory area (14) for storing the electronic advertising announcements and at least one interface for sending these messages to another communication device (9, 20).

Abstract: Merchandising and marketing data collection systems (100, 400, 500, 700, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) collect data on shopper's (816) interaction with merchandise samples (106, 414, 1212, 1400, 1502), page store personnel, output promotional vouchers and use the merchandise samples to access information about the capabilities of the merchandise being sold.

Abstract: A fused disconnect switch assembly includes a pull out fuse assembly and a switch housing assembly. The fuse assembly includes a line side conducting portion, a load side conducting portion, and a fuse element therebetween. The switch housing assembly includes a fuse receptacle for receiving the fuse, a first contact assembly coupled to the line side conducting portion of the fuse and a second contact assembly coupled to the load side conducting portion of the fuse when the fuse is inserted into the receptacle. An open fuse indication device is in communication with conducting portions of the fuse, and an alarm terminal output extends from the switch assembly housing and is in communication with the open fuse indication device. The open fuse indication device provides local fuse state indication and the alarm terminal output facilitates remote fuse state indication when coupled to external circuitry.

Abstract: A mobile enforcement reader (MER) includes an antenna, a reader coupled to receive signals from the antenna and a control/display unit (CDU) coupled to the reader. The CDU selects a receive direction and processes signals provided thereto from the reader. When the MER and a transponder are in proximity, the MER interrogates the transponder and receives information related to toll payment. The MER allows enforcement officials to monitor payment by single occupancy vehicle (SOV) traffic for use of high occupancy traffic (HOT) lanes.

Abstract: In a facility having a plurality of portals and having a number of individuals having access to the portals and where each portal is assigned a unique portal for his or her use, a system is designed which allows each individual to receive a unique voice message from his or her portal that a particular portal is the one assigned when the individual is in the proximity of his or her unique portal. The system comprises a uniquely coded element to be worn by each individual and a plurality of transponders, each transponder affixed on or near a particular portal. Each transponder has a device which emits an IR or RF scanning signal for scanning the coded element worn by a particular individual. Each said transponder has an element to determine when a detected signal has the same unique correspondence to a particular portal. The system also comprises a central computer. When there is correspondence between a detected signal or portal, a signal indicating correspondence is directed to the central portal.

Abstract: A supervisory method and apparatus provide for detection of “partial fault” conditions such as a relatively high series impedance in the wiring, or a relatively low parallel impedance across the wiring. A non-linear element, such as a semiconductor diode, can be used as an end of line element. The element functions as a current controlled dynamic impedance such that currents through the element can be used to detect low parallel leakage currents. Higher currents through the element can be used to detect partial open circuits.

Abstract: The restaurant business is often a fast paced, stressful, and confusing business to work in. Servers frequently have a hard time guessing patron needs and patrons often find it difficult to gain the servers attention. Sometimes patrons want to be left alone with their meal or conversation only to be interrupted by a server, creating an uncomfortable situation for both patron and server. With the Waiter Call Light, patrons can gain the servers attention with a push of a button. With it's side mounted light source the server can easily know (even from across the room) when the customer requires attention. This will increase efficiency in communication between server and patron. Table turn over times can be significantly decreased, which helps shorten wait times, allows for more customers to be served, increases restaurant sales/profits, all while making the dining experience easier and more pleasurable for both server and customer.

Abstract: An antenna 1 for a tire pressure information sending apparatus is constituted by a circuit board provided with feeding electrodes and a radiation electrode 8 having a loop surface substantially perpendicular to the principal surface, the radiation electrode sending air pressure information of a tire onto a principal surface of the circuit board by radio waves. Thereby, when the apparatus is mounted on a wheel rim, a magnetic field vector parallel to the principal surface of the circuit board and parallel to the wheel rim is generated, and a direction of a magnetic field vector by a mirror effect to the wheel rim becomes the same as the direction of the magnetic field vector of the antenna. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent that the antenna characteristic deteriorates.

Abstract: A device 15, 2 to 6 and 10 to 14 for controlling appliance functions and for communicating with a user need not stay switched on during the entire operating time. These mostly include optical indicating means 10 to 14 whose lifetime can be increased if a motion detector 19 is arranged on the household appliance and is operatively connected to the device 15 for controlling and/or the device 2 to 6, 10 to 14 for communicating and if the device 10 to 14 for communicating can only be switched to active on receiving a signal from the motion detector 19.

Abstract: A wireless communications system suitable for use within an aircraft, such as a part of a wireless emergency lighting system (WELS) is provided. In an aircraft, EXIT signs are located throughout the interior of the aircraft, including the ceiling (general illumination), seats (floor proximity) and EXIT doors (locator/identifier). A wireless communications system uses an integrated lens antenna system that takes advantage of the quantity and location of emergency lights such that any given light will have a direct radio frequency (RF) path to several other lights. A virtual network can be created such that if the path between any two lights becomes disrupted, alternate paths will be constructed under software control.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes one or more monitoring devices, positioned in sewer manholes, storm drains, etc., and a remote monitoring station that communicates wirelessly therewith. The monitoring device may be an integrated unit, including sensors, a two-way telemetry unit, a power supply, a processor, and supporting hardware, all located in an enclosed, waterproof housing. The monitoring device is placed within a manhole cavity to obtain depth (e.g., water level) measurements and report the measurements back to the remote monitoring station, which analyzes the data and responds to alert messages when a dangerous water level is detected. The sample and reporting rates of the device, as well as the water level threshold values, may be remotely programmable via commands transmitted from the remote monitoring station. An additional sensor may monitor the manhole cover for security purposes.

Abstract: A flat panel display system for an aircraft display includes a graphics rendering computer for rendering of anti-aliased graphical imaging data derived from aircraft sensors for full-field imaging on a cockpit display screen. A comparator processor independently generates, from the same sensor data, a selected subset or “points of light” of the display screen image and compares the points of light data to the data generated by the rendering computer for the same display screen pixel locations. The minimized processing requirements and simplified design of the comparator processor enable ready FAA certification of the comparator processor, whereas the extreme complexity and processing operations required of the rendering computer make FAA certification thereof unusually time consuming and expensive.

Abstract: An integrated system for tracking assets (tools and materials) and personnel associated with a work site. Personnel are equipped with tracking devices having at least geolocation capability. Assets are tagged with RFID tags, which are interrogated at portals, by mobile scanners, or by personnel tracking devices having RFID reading capability. The tag readers and tracking devices are all in communication with a common “information backbone” and all data is delivered to, and processed by, a common command and control subsystem.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information processing system having plural IC tags (e.g. RFID tags), each of which transmits back a signal in response to an interrogatory signal sent from a cell phone acting as an interrogator. The information processing system includes the RFID tags and the cell phone. The cell phone transmits an interrogatory signal to the tags to read information from the tags. Each tag receiving the interrogatory signal transmits positional information stored in the tag to the cell phone in response to the interrogatory signal. The cell phone transmits a specific interrogatory signal including at least one of the transmitted sets of positional information. Each tag receiving the specific interrogatory signal makes a decision as to whether the positional information contained in the specific interrogatory signal matches the positional information stored in the tag itself.

Abstract: Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling, one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.

Abstract: A container security system has a container interior monitor portion with a container interior light sensing portion responsive to visible light. A different embodiment involves a monitoring device with a support, a door engaging member movable to and from an operational position, and a detection portion that generates an electrical signal in response to movement of the member away from the operational position. The support may be configured to be supported on an edge portion of a movable door. Alternatively, the monitoring device may include a wireless communication portion, and circuitry responsive to the signal and operatively coupled to the wireless communication portion.