Abstract: A system for determining a state of a door having a locking mechanism for locking the door includes a locking mechanism and a door sensor. The locking mechanism sensor is disposed for sensing a condition of the locking mechanism and generating a signal indicative thereof. The door sensor disposed for sensing a condition of the door and generating a signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a processor for determining a state of the door, in response to the signals from the locking mechanism sensor and the door sensor. The state of the door is a secured state when the door sensor senses the condition of the door as closed and the locking mechanism sensor senses the condition of the locking mechanism as locked. A method for determining a state of a door having a locking mechanism for locking the door includes sensing a condition of the locking mechanism and sensing a condition of the door.

Abstract: A system for determining a state of a door having a locking mechanism for locking the door includes a locking mechanism and a door sensor. The locking mechanism sensor is disposed for sensing a condition of the locking mechanism and generating a signal indicative thereof. The door sensor disposed for sensing a condition of the door and generating a signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a processor for determining a state of the door, in response to the signals from the locking mechanism sensor and the door sensor. The state of the door is a secured state when the door sensor senses the condition of the door as closed and the locking mechanism sensor senses the condition of the locking mechanism as locked. A method for determining a state of a door having a locking mechanism for locking the door includes sensing a condition of the locking mechanism and sensing a condition of the door.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system that tracks distorted signals in a digital system is disclosed. The method may include receiving an input signal having a first input value when a distorted signal is input to the digital system and has a second input value when a non-distorted signal is input to the digital system, and outputting a signal having a first output value to indicate that a corresponding output signal from the digital system is distorted and has a second output value to indicate that a corresponding output signal from the digital system is not distorted.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus identifies distorted output signals from a digital system caused by at least one distorted signal input to the digital system. A first signal is input to the tracking apparatus when a distorted signal is input to the digital system. A second signal is input to the tracking apparatus when a non-distorted signal is input to the digital system. The tracking apparatus models a delay and widening characteristics of the digital system and operates in parallel with the digital system.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a digital camera, includes sensors to acquire subject data, such as an electro-optical image, as well as additional sensors to acquire meta-data such as temperature, humidity, the identification of the subject data, and the data and time. The electronic device further includes an image evaluator, to determine the best steganographic method to use to combine the meta-data and the subject data, and a steganographic engine, to combine the meta-data and the subject data in an undetectable manner. In this way, meta-data can be associated with the subject data when the subject data is acquired and in a manner that attaches the meta-data and the subject data without requiring generating and maintaining two, linked data sets.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and automating a home using a network-based system is provided. The system employs a server system coupled to a centralized database, at least one client system, and a plurality of sensors positioned throughout the home. The method includes receiving monitoring and automation (M&A) information from the client system, storing M&A information into the centralized database, cross-referencing M&A information, updating the centralized database periodically to maintain M&A information, monitoring M&A information within the home through the plurality of sensors, performing M&A tasks in the home using the plurality of sensors based on M&A information inputted into the client system and monitored M&A data, and notifying a home owner of the monitored M&A data and the M&A tasks performed within the home.

Abstract: A system for collecting and analyzing shipment parameter data, e.g., temperature, vibration, acceleration, shock, humidity, barometric pressure, pH, transit time, container position, etc., affecting predicted statistical variables of articles is provided. Examples of the predicted statistical variables may include article life expectancy, warranty costs, service and/or maintenance schedules, etc. The system is made up of a plurality of data collection subsystems for respectively collecting shipment parameter data encountered by respective articles being shipped, and a data analysis subsystem coupled to receive the collected shipment data for adjusting the respective predicted statistical variables of the articles.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and automating a home using a network-based system is provided. The system employs a server system coupled to a centralized database, at least one client system, and a plurality of sensors positioned throughout the home. The method includes receiving monitoring and automation (M&A) information from the client system, storing M&A information into the centralized database, cross-referencing M&A information, updating the centralized database periodically to maintain M&A information, monitoring M&A information within the home through the plurality of sensors, performing M&A tasks in the home using the plurality of sensors based on M&A information inputted into the client system and monitored M&A data, and notifying a home owner of the monitored M&A data and the M&A tasks performed within the home.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus identifies distorted output signals from a digital system caused by at least one distorted signal input to the digital system. A first signal is input to the tracking apparatus when a distorted signal is input to the digital system. A second signal is input to the tracking apparatus when a non-distorted signal is input to the digital system. The tracking apparatus models a delay and widening characteristics of the digital system and operates in parallel with the digital system.

Abstract: A local area network (LAN) of tracked mobile assets which are temporarily located in an area having a high density of mobile assets, such as a railway yard, employs a stationary master tracking unit that is responsible for communicating with mobile tracking units affixed to the mobile assets and transmitting information to a central station. The stationary master tracking unit may be mounted at an elevation, as on a pole, and single or multiple stationary master tracking units may exist in the same vicinity. Each stationary master tracking unit has a constant supply of power and communicates with the central station by way of either satellites or dedicated land line connection. A protocol is provided for communicating between the Stationary master tracking unit and the mobile tracking units. The protocol provides a mechanism for acquiring new mobile tracking units entering the railway yard and a mechanism for releasing mobile tracking units leaving the railway yard.

Abstract: A mode of communication for asset tracking units involves communication between a central station and the individual tracking units, usually through a satellite link. This mode is the primary communication link for tracking the assets. A second mode is the local area network (LAN) or "mutter" mode, in which a subset of tracking units communicate with each other in a mobile LAN. This mode is used as the secondary communication mechanism to conserve power, since mutter mode communication requires much less energy for local communication between the tracking units as opposed to direct satellite communication with the central station. In addition, mutter mode leads to increased reliability of the asset tracking system by enabling tracking of units which have batteries too weak to support communication with the central station, but strong enough to support communication in mutter mode.

Abstract: A shock detector for measuring intermittent shock events comprises a mechanical delay line to supply delayed output motion in response to input motion along an input axis. A transducer converts the delayed output motion to an electrical signal representative of the delayed output motion. The transducer is generally in a respective inactive state to reduce the power consumption of the shock detector. A relatively low power motion sensor, such as low power accelerometer or tilt actuated switch, is employed for switching the transducer to a respective active state in response to the input motion thereby allowing the shock detector to measure any intermittent shock event regardless of the generally inactive state of the transducer.

Abstract: A mobile tracking unit capable of detecting defective conditions associated with a set of railway vehicle wheels and with a railtrack upon which a given railway vehicle travels comprises a rotation measurement unit for generating data indicative of rotational rate of the set of wheels; a motion sensor, such as an accelerometer or vibration sensor, for generating data indicative of motion along a vertical axis relative to the railtrack; a data processor coupled to the motion sensor and to the rotation measurement unit for receiving the rotational rate and motion data; a navigation set for generating data corresponding to a respective railway vehicle position thereby allowing for determination of the location at which any respective defective condition occurs; and a transmitter for transmitting predetermined data associated with the railway vehicle to a remote location where the transmitted data can be processed.

Abstract: A system for sensing spin speed and an out-of-balance condition in a washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a washer basket and an agitator that spin about a predetermined spin axis during a spin cycle. The OOB condition can be characterized by excursions, during the spin cycle, of a tub which encloses the washer basket. The tub excursions can be in a direction generally perpendicular to the spin axis of the washer basket, for example. The system includes a magnetic source, such as a permanent magnet, positioned in the agitator for producing a predetermined magnetic field. A magnetic sensor is positioned to be electromagnetically coupled to the magnetic source for supplying an output signal that varies as the agitator rotates relative to the magnetic sensor. A signal processor is coupled to the magnetic sensor for receiving the output signal supplied by the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A system for sensing loads in a washing machine by measuring angular acceleration is provided. The washing machine includes a washer basket and an agitator that can be angularly accelerated about a spin axis during a predetermined dry spin cycle. The system includes a magnetic source, such as a permanent magnet, positioned in the agitator for producing a predetermined magnetic field. A magnetic sensor, made-up of inductive coils or solid state sensors, is positioned to be electromagnetically coupled to the magnetic source for supplying an output signal that varies in a predetermined manner as the agitator is angularly accelerated relative to the magnetic sensor. A signal processor is coupled to the magnetic sensor for receiving the output signal supplied by the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of classifying and sorting by shape crystalline objects such as synthetic diamonds in which an image of the object taken from an angle defined in relation to the object is compared to one or more templates in order to characterize the object.

Abstract: A system for sensing loads in a washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a tub inside a cabinet. The tub encloses a washer basket and an agitator. The washing machine further includes a motor for rotating the basket and the agitator about a spin axis, and a suspension system for supporting the washer basket so that the washer basket travels along a travel axis based on the load in the washer basket. The system includes a magnetic source attached to a lateral section of the washer basket for producing a magnetic field. A sensor is attached to a predetermined lateral wall of the cabinet. The sensor is made up of first and second magnetic sensing elements situated to have a predetermined spacing between one another substantially along the travel axis. The first and second magnetic sensing elements are electromagnetically coupled to the magnetic source for supplying, respectively, first and second output signals as the washer basket rotates relative to the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A mobile tracking unit capable of operating in a power-starved environment for a vehicle tracking system includes a navigation set for generating data corresponding to a respective vehicle position. The navigation set is periodically energized at a selected activation rate F.sub.G while the vehicle is moving to generate the vehicle position data. The tracking unit includes an electromagnetic emitter which is capable of transmitting the vehicle position data and which is periodically energized at a selected activation rate F.sub.EM while the vehicle is moving to transmit at least the vehicle position data. A motion sensor is employed for generating data indicative of vehicle motion. A tracking unit controller receives the vehicle motion data and controls the navigation set and the emitter based upon the vehicle motion data so that when the vehicle is stationary each of activation rates F.sub.G and F.sub.

Abstract: A single phase induction motor includes a start winding, a run winding coupled in parallel with the start winding, a start switch, and a run switch. A control circuit is provided for selectively supplying voltage to the start and run windings. A current sensor is coupled to the control circuit and the start and run windings for estimating the temperature rise of the motor and turning the motor off if overheated. An alternating voltage having a plurality of 360.degree. cycles can be continuously applied to the run winding through the run switch. The alternating voltage is repetitively applied through the start switch to the start winding in the range of 45.degree. to 135.degree. into each respective one of the plurality of cycles and ending at approximately 180.degree. into each respective cycle and beginning in the range of 225.degree. to 315.degree. into each respective cycle and ending at approximately 360.degree. into each respective cycle until the motor is running at a speed close to synchronous speed.

Abstract: A time domain technique for implementing an adaptive wall filter improves imaging of low-velocity blood flow by removing signals associated with slowly moving tissue. Adaptive wall filtering is performed by estimating wall velocity and bandwidth, and then filtering the basebanded data with a complex time domain notch filter. The wall velocity estimate determines the center frequency of a wall signal while the wall variance estimate determines the wall signal bandwidth. The complex filter coefficients selected are those which will center the complex notch filter on the wall center frequency, and which will set the filter cutoff frequencies (measured from this center frequency) to match the wall signal bandwidth.