Abstract: A Christmas tree fire extinguishing system is provided, wherein an automatically initiated fire extinguishing agent is contained within a housing below the tree and a plurality of smoke and heat sensors communicate to a control unit. The control unit controls the trigger and interprets the sensor signals, while also sending signals to a communications system upon a fire event to notify the homeowner and/or the local fire authorities. In combination with the fire extinguishing agent, the system can monitor the tree and alert property authorities in the event of a fire to prevent home fires and major property damage. Also provided is an audible fire alert for those in the home, wherein a sound generator is energized if smoke or fire is detected to warn those in the immediate vicinity.

Abstract: A case for a mobile communication device includes a body shaped and dimensioned for receiving a mobile communication device, the body having interior layers of aluminum foil and gold foil sandwiched between outer layers of plastic.

Abstract: A Christmas tree fire extinguishing system is provided, wherein an automatically initiated fire extinguishing agent is contained within a housing below the tree and a plurality of smoke and heat sensors communicate to a control unit. The control unit controls the trigger and interprets the sensor signals, while also sending signals to a communications system upon a fire event to notify the homeowner and/or the local fire authorities. In combination with the fire extinguishing agent, the system can monitor the tree and alert property authorities in the event of a fire to prevent home fires and major property damage. Also provided is an audible fire alert for those in the home, wherein a sound generator is energized if smoke or fire is detected to warn those in the immediate vicinity.

Abstract: A mirror attached to a weapon such as a rifle, pistol or shotgun. The gun mirror is a slightly convex mirror seated in a flexible seat which is anchored to a weapon by flexible legs which may be magnetic or have a threaded fastener or have hook/loop fasteners.

Abstract: A satellite-based digital audio radio (SDAR) receiver is configured to temporarily store data that may be transmitted to the SDAR receiver at a time inconvenient to the subscriber. A memory arrangement buffers data output by a channel decoder. The SDAR receiver can use the buffered data prior to using any currently transmitted data. The buffered data is associated with buffered timing information that lags behind the current timing information associated with the currently transmitted data. The buffered data is available for use only once before a decryption subsystem receives the current timing information. If the subscriber uses the currently transmitted data, the decryption subsystem receives the current timing information. The decryption subsystem decrypts only data that is associated with timing information that is no earlier than the latest timing information received by the decryption subsystem.

Abstract: A digital radio receiver is provided having first and second inputs for receiving first and second signals. The radio receiver also includes a first variable gain circuit for adjusting one of gain and attenuation of the first input signal, and a second variable gain circuit for adjusting one of gain and attenuation of the second input signal. A detector is coupled to an output for one of the first and second variable gain circuits for detecting signal strength, and an offset circuit is coupled to the first and second variable gain circuits. The offset circuit controls at least one of the first and second variable gain circuits based on the detected signal strength and offset.

Abstract: A mirror attached to a weapon such as a rifle, pistol or shotgun. The gun mirror is a slightly convex mirror seated in a flexible seat which is anchored to a weapon by flexible legs which may be magnetic or have a threaded fastener or have hook/loop fasteners.

Abstract: In an automotive radio system an amplifier is capable of detecting speaker faults. A fault signal from the amplifier is received by a microprocessor which sends a fault message to a radio display and/or stores fault data which can be accessed via a serial data link by a diagnostic tool. One embodiment of the amplifier has an output pin for outputting distortion signal, and that pin is used when distortion is not likely to also output a fault signal which reveals the presence of a fault. Another embodiment of the amplifier has a data storage register which receives data on the type of fault and the affected channel, and a data bus to send the data to the microprocessor.