Abstract: A motion control device for controlling a motor is presented. The motion control device is operable to scale or adjust an input relative to an input range that is based on calibration values and to use that scaled input to produce a drive signal to drive the motor. The motion control device performs a self-calibration to produce the calibration values. The self-calibration involves measuring home position and full travel position values for the motor.

Abstract: Presented is a sensor that includes a magnetoresistive (MR) sensing device to sense a magnetic field and to produce an AC signal voltage proportional to the sensed magnetic field. The sensor also includes circuitry, coupled to the MR sensing device, to remove DC offset from the AC signal voltage. The DC offset may be related to the hysteresis characteristics of the MR sensing device. To remove DC offset, the circuitry may obtain an averaged DC offset and subtract the averaged DC offset from the AC signal voltage to produce a sensor output signal.

Abstract: A time delay fault device includes an integrated circuit (IC) having an electronic circuit having a fault indicator signal output and a time delay circuit having an input connected to the fault indicator signal output and an output to provide a delayed fault indicator signal output, the time delay circuit being responsive to an external voltage from a resistor capacitor network coupled to the delayed fault indicator signal output to set the time delay of the delayed fault indicator signal.

Abstract: A sensor minimizes effects of sensor element misalignment with respect to a magnet. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises a magnet, first, second, third, and fourth sensor elements positioned in relation to the magnet, and a signal processing module to process output signals from the first, second, third, and fourth sensor elements and generate first and second differential signals for minimizing effects of positional misalignment of the first, second, third, and fourth sensor elements with respect to the magnet by maximizing a quadrature relationship of the first and second differential signals.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a monitor node adapted to receive a monitored signal. The integrated circuit also includes a multi-purpose node. The integrated circuit is adapted to receive and store a threshold presented at the multi-purpose node during a first time period. The integrated circuit is also adapted to output a fault signal from the multi-purpose node at a time after the predetermined time period. The fault signal is indicative of a relationship between the monitored signal and the threshold. With this arrangement, the multi-purpose node achieves at least two functions.

Abstract: A self-expiring badge or label that includes an upper substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface and an adhesive activator layer on the lower surface. A protective layer having a first surface and a second surface is provided, with the first surface of the protective layer being removably attached to and overlaying the adhesive layer. A lower substrate is provided that has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being removably attached to and overlaying the second surface of the protective layer. A migrating ink pattern is on the lower surface of the lower substrate. To activate, the upper substrate and at least a portion of the lower substrate are removed from the protective layer to leave a remaining portion of the lower substrate having the migrating ink pattern thereon.

Abstract: A self-expiring badge or label is provided that includes a clear substrate, an opaque adhesive layer, a liner web, and an ink pattern is provided. The clear substrate has a back surface and a front surface with the opaque adhesive layer on the back surface. The liner web has a first surface and a second surface, where the adhesive layer secures the substrate to the first surface. The ink pattern is on at least a portion of the second surface. Upon removal of the liner web from the adhesive layer, the portion remains secured to the clear substrate by the adhesive layer and the clear substrate is foldable to place the ink pattern in contact with the adhesive layer. The ink pattern migrates through the adhesive layer in a selected time interval and is visible through the clear substrate when the ink pattern is in contact with the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a monitor node adapted to receive a monitored signal. The integrated circuit also includes a multi-purpose node. The integrated circuit is adapted to receive and store a threshold presented at the multi-purpose node during a first time period. The integrated circuit is also adapted to output a fault signal from the multi-purpose node at a time after the predetermined time period. The fault signal is indicative of a relationship between the monitored signal and the threshold. With this arrangement, the multi-purpose node achieves at least two functions.

Abstract: A time delay fault device includes an integrated circuit (IC) having an electronic circuit having a fault indicator signal output and a time delay circuit having an input connected to the fault indicator signal output and an output to provide a delayed fault indicator signal output, the time delay circuit being responsive to an external voltage from a resistor capacitor network coupled to the delayed fault indicator signal output to set the time delay of the delayed fault indicator signal.

Abstract: An indicator that is an adhesive label-like testing indicator that is used to detect the presence of trace chemical residues, e.g., explosive compound residues or other hazardous chemicals. The indicator comprises a substrate, preferably transparent, having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first portion and a second portion joined at a fold line, the first portion being smaller in area than the second portion. A pressure sensitive adhesive coats the upper surface of at least the second portion of the substrate. A first reactant is adhered to the upper surface of the first portion of the substrate. When the upper surface of the second portion, is contacted with a surface containing the trace chemical residues, e.g., the handle of a briefcase, the chemical residue adheres to the adhesive. When the first portion is subsequently folded along the fold line so that the upper surfaces of the substrate contact each other, a portion of the adhesive on the second portion remains exposed.

Abstract: A self-expiring badge or label that includes an upper substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface and an adhesive activator layer on the lower surface. A protective layer having a first surface and a second surface is provided, with the first surface of the protective layer being removably attached to and overlaying the adhesive layer. A lower substrate is provided that has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being removably attached to and overlaying the second surface of the protective layer. A migrating ink pattern is on the lower surface of the lower substrate. To activate, the upper substrate and at least a portion of the lower substrate are removed from the protective layer to leave a remaining portion of the lower substrate having the migrating ink pattern thereon.

Abstract: A process for validating an identification badge or plastic card for a plurality of predetermined periods of time. The process includes generating, preferably randomly, an initial image for an initial predetermined period of time and then transmitting this initial image to a printing device. The printing device prints the image on the identification badge to thereby validate the badge for the initial predetermined period of time. Thereafter, a subsequent image is randomly generated for a subsequent predetermined period of time. This subsequent image is then transmitted to the printing device. The initial image is then removed from the identification badge and the subsequent image printed on the identification badge to validate the badge for the subsequent predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A time indicator assembly including a front part and a back part is disclosed that can easily pass through a printer. The time indicator assembly includes a base substrate forming at least part of the back part having a first surface and a second surface extending between edges. A migrating ink is applied over a portion of the first surface of the base substrate, and a release sheet overlies the migrating ink to prevent migration of the migrating ink toward the front part. In one embodiment, an adhesive is applied over the release sheet and onto the base substrate adjacent at least two of the base substrate edges. The adhesive joins a cover substrate forming at least part of the front part to the base substrate over at least a portion of the release sheet and along the at least two of the base substrate edges. Upon removal of the release sheet, the migrating ink migrates through the adhesive to form an image in the cover substrate.

Abstract: A long term rapid color changing time indicator includes a front part and a back part. The front part includes a transparent layer, an opaque layer, a colorant layer, and a neutralizing layer. The colorant layer includes a matrix and a colorant having a non-migratory form that does not migrate in the matrix and having a migratory form that migrates in the matrix. The back part has a reactant. When the front part and the back part are placed in contact, the reactant migrates into the neutralizing layer and a portion of the reactant is depleted by a coreactant. The unreacted reactant migrates into the colorant layer and reacts with the non-migratory form of the colorant converting the non-migratory form to the migratory form such that the migratory form of the colorant migrates through the opaque layer to cause a visual color indication in the transparent layer.

Abstract: A locking device having a cylindrical plunger and a cylindrical sleeve for releasably and rotatably receiving the plunger, the sleeve having an open top portion, and a bottom portion. A keyway is provided axially disposed along the length of one of the plunger or sleeve, and a lip circumferentially disposed around the same plunger or sleeve. A key is also provided on the other of the plunger or sleeve, the key slidably mating with the keyway. A spring member is disposed within the sleeve and is compressed when the plunger is inserted into the sleeve biasing the plunger out of the sleeve. To lock the device the plunger is inserted into the sleeve, the key sliding along the keyway through the lip, the plunger compressing the spring member, and then the sleeve and plunger are rotated with respect to each other and released, the spring biasing the plunger out of the sleeve and locking the key onto a surface of the lip.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a plurality of printed and activated time dependent labels. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a web having a plurality of inked substrates thereon. Each substrate has a migrating ink pattern printed on a surface of the substrate. A transfer printer is provided that has a first ribbon means for applying a timing layer through which the migrating ink bleeds after a predetermined period of time. A second ribbon means is provided for printing variable data. The web of inked substrates is continuously fed through the printer, each inked substrate passing sequentially under the first ribbon means and then the second ribbon means. The first ribbon means is activated to apply the timing layer to a portion of the printed surface of each inked substrate thereunder to produce a coated substrate.

Abstract: A system for processing cards including a magnetic medium extending along one side of the cards and printing on both sides of the cards is disclosed. The system is a plurality of card processing stations (14, 30, 24) spaced along a card transport (18?) extending between a card input 12 and a card output 16. A first drive motor (54) drives a transmission (60) coupling the motor to a card drive associated with each station to transport the cards at each station during processing thereof. A second drive motor 56 rotates a combined magnetic encoding and card flipping station. A controller 60 controls operation of the stations and the first and second motors so that the combined magnetic encoding and flipping station flips the cards to a reverse orientation to print a second side.

Abstract: An algorithm housed within a rotorcraft, controls real time generation of signals reflecting sensor measurement of plural parameters in accordance with a programmed sequence operationally intermapped pursuant to a linear or non-linear equation with calculations therefrom of estimates to provide an accurate determination of flight usage from which to evaluate and detect excessive damage with respect to components of the aircraft.

Abstract: A locking device having a cylindrical plunger with a key thereon and a cylindrical sleeve for receiving the plunger and key. The sleeve has a lip therein with a mating keyway that passes therethrough. An indicium on the sleeve is aligned with the keyway. To lock the device the plunger is inserted into the sleeve, the key sliding along the keyway through the lip into the bottom portion compressing a spring member therein. The sleeve and plunger are then rotated with respect to each other and released, the spring biasing the plunger upward to lock the key onto the bottom surface of the lip. To unlock the device, the sleeve and plunger are pressed together and rotated with respect to each other until, by noting the position of the known indicium, the key and keyway are aligned with each other. The plunger is then removed from the sleeve.