Abstract: A wheel speed sensor driving mechanism includes a motorcycle front wheel hub axle tube having chamfered driving blocks equiangularly spaced around an inner perimeter thereof, a follower unit concentrically mounted in the motorcycle front wheel hub axle tube and having chamfered ribs equiangularly arranged around the periphery of one end of the worm wheel and a mounting groove defined between each two adjacent ribs for receiving the chamfered driving blocks. Further, the number of the ribs of the follower unit is divisible by the number of the driving blocks of the motorcycle front wheel hub axle tube.

Abstract: A memory protection device for controlling access to a memory and a method of controlling access to a memory are disclosed. A memory status value held by latch circuitry in the memory protection device determines whether the memory is an enabled or a disabled state. After power-up, a power-on-reset signal causes the memory status value to indicate the enabled state. In response to the assertion from a received control signal a memory kill signal is generated by the memory protection device which causes the memory status value to switch to its disabled state and the memory status value then cannot be changed back to the enabled state without a power reset. The memory status value being in the disabled state causes enable signal generation circuitry of the memory to openly be able to generate its read enable signal and write enable signal in a disabled state, thus preventing access to the memory.

Abstract: A control system for use in safety critical human/machine control interfaces is described, more particularly a joystick type control system and particularly a joystick type control system utilizing magnetic positional sensing. The control system provides a control input device having a movable magnet, a pole-piece frame arrangement positioned about the magnet, at least three magnetic flux sensors being positioned in said pole-piece frame arrangement and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring the output signal of each of said at least three sensors.

Abstract: An angular position sensor and method that relies on a stationary circular array of Hall sensors and a rotatable circular array of magnets arranged about a common axis. A periodic and simultaneous reading of all of the Hall sensor outputs is used to determine angular velocity.

Abstract: A method for controlling an opening leaf of a vehicle. The method detects whether a predetermined event is occurring in the absence of a predetermined situation likenable to a trapping incident and, if appropriate, lowers a function of detecting the situation likenable to a trapping incident.

Abstract: A front wheel-induced motorcycle mileage counter inductor is constructed to include a magnetic device mounted in the outer end of the center shaft of the front wheel hub of the motorcycle, and a sensor formed of a Hall probe and mounted in a cover shell affixed to the front fork of the motorcycle around the outer end of the center shaft and electrically connected to the mileage counter of the motorcycle through a signal line and adapted to detect the amount of rotation of the magnetic device upon movement of the motorcycle and to output a signal indicative of the amount of rotation of the magnetic device to the mileage counter.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle defining an axis, a wheel assembly rotatably supported on the axle for rotating relative to the axle axis, a magnet, a sensor responsive to the magnet for producing a count signal, and a microprocessor for receiving count signal data, calculating the distance the wheel assembly has traveled, and transmitting distance data to an output device. The sensor is mounted to rotate with the wheel assembly and the magnet is mounted to the axle, at a position eccentric to or radially offset from the axle axis. The sensor is mounted to the wheel assembly in radial alignment with the magnet such that rotation of the wheel assembly aligns the sensor for magnetic interaction with or responsiveness to the magnet once per revolution of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating, presenting, recalling and recording the maximum running speed of a user over a prescribed distance in miles per hour or meters per second. The result is shown in digital and iconic form on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus incorporates a micro-controller, a LCD, a motion sensor, a sound generator, press switches, and light emitting diodes. The motion sensor is used to generate a signal, in response to external motion, which is input to the micro-controller for use in calculating the speed in accordance with a prescribed formula. Upon completion of running over a fixed time period or distance, a message is displayed on the LCD to indicated the maximum speed achieved by the user during an interval of the fixed time and over the prescribed distance. The apparatus may be adapted for use on shoes, a user's wrists, or the like, for the purpose of encouraging the user to run as fast as possible, and to ensure safety of the user at night.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a relative slow-acting vehicle gauge indicator, such as a rotatable pointer. A muscle wire driven rack gear is operatively connected to a rotatable pointer gear. The rack gear is biased to a gauge at-rest position by a spring member. Upon receiving an electrical signal from a vehicle sensor, the muscle wire contracts, moving the rack member against the spring force to drive the gauge pointer to an appropriate reading on a gauge face.

Abstract: A GMI sensor for determining spin rate of a rotating body within an external magnetic field is presented. The sensor comprises an oscillator generating an AC drive signal at an oscillator output terminal. A voltage divider circuit includes a first terminal AC coupled to the oscillator output terminal through a coupling capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a reference ground. The voltage divider circuit further includes a GMI fiber having a GMI junction terminal. The fiber is disposed in fixed relation to the rotating body such that impedance of the fiber is modulated by the external magnetic field to provide a modulated drive signal at the GMI junction terminal. A signal processing circuit is electrically connected to the GMI junction terminal to processes the modulated drive signal and provide an output signal indicative of the spin rate of the rotating body.

Abstract: A determining apparatus (a printer controller PC) for determining the property of a thermal head (1) having a plurality of heating devices (heating resistor 1a) is comprised of: a thermal head property storing device (ROM 33) for previously storing the property data of the plurality of various kinds of thermal heads; thermal head property measuring devices (voltage measuring circuit 34, head configuration measuring circuit 35) for measuring the property of the thermal head to be connected; and thermal head determining devices (CPU 30 and a program for head initial diagnostic process) for determining the thermal head by comparing/checking the property measured by the thermal head property measuring devices with the data stored in the thermal head property storing device.

Abstract: A shell structure of a signal sensing and transmitting device adapted to be used with a wireless speedometer for a bicycle is provided. A main body of a signal sensing and transmitting circuit and a battery is received within the shell structure. The shell structure includes a shell body including an opening for being inserted therethrough the main body of the signal sensing and transmitting circuit and the battery, and a receiving space for receiving therein the main body of the signal sensing and transmitting circuit and the battery; and a fastening lip for covering the opening of the shell body and fastening the main body of the signal sensing and transmitting circuit and the battery within the shell body.

Abstract: A golf-cart speedometer/odometer has a rotation-mark collar (1) on a cart-wheel rim (2) that signals rotation to a rotation sensor (4) on a housing extension (5) from a cart-axle housing (6). Measurement of rotation of the rotation-mark collar from rotation of the cart-wheel rim is communicated electrically from the rotation sensor to a readout console (8) having a speedometer (10), a resettable long-distance odometer (11) in metric or English and a resettable short-distance odometer (12) in metric or English readout. Rotation-marking of the rotation-mark collar is preferably with a plurality of magnets (3). Optionally, the rotation-marking of the rotation-mark collar can utilize a plurality of four magnetic-material markers for a rotation-sensor magnet to decrease magnetic field that could damage computers or medical equipment in the vicinity. Further optional, the rotation-marking of the rotation-mark collar can utilize a plurality of four mechanical trippers (31) and trippets (32).

Abstract: A wheel rotating speed detector for detecting a wheel rotating speed of a motor vehicle, comprising: a magnetism generator provided either at wheel of the motor vehicle or a rotary member integrally rotatable with the wheel; a magnetism detector for detecting magnetism generated by the magnetism generator; a change-over switch enabling the magnetism detector to change over from a normal magnetism detecting mode to a low magnetism detecting mode or vice versa.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for modifying an odometer reading in a vehicle navigation system to compensate for odometer errors. A first distance measurement is obtained from the odometer, and a second distance measurement is obtained from at least one other sensor. The difference between the first and second distance measurements is determined and an adjustment amount is generated in response thereto. A modification factor is then adjusted by the adjustment amount, the modification factor being for modifying the odometer reading. The odometer reading is then modified with the modification factor. A method and apparatus for selecting a pulse rate setting in a vehicle navigation system to correspond to a pulse rate associated with the odometer are also described. A first distance measurement is obtained from the odometer and a second distance measurement is obtained from at least one other sensor. The difference between the first and second distance measurements is then determined.

Abstract: A rail mounted vehicle speed measuring device includes a first magnetic field generating member and a first magnetic field sensing member positioned at a first measuring location on the vehicle; a second magnetic field generating member and a second magnetic field sensing member positioned at a second measuring location on the vehicle, spaced a fixed distance from the first location in the direction of vehicle movement; wherein the magnetic fields generated by the first and second magnetic field generating member are influenced by the rail to produce first and second signal patterns sensed by the first and second sensing member and varying with movement of the vehicle along the rail; and device is provided for correlating the first and second sensed signal patterns to determine the time displacement between the two sensed signal patterns and the velocity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled speedometer/odometer including a single-chip microprocessor which is previously recorded with operation programs according to different requirements. The programs of the microprocessor are changeable in accordance with the requirements of different speedometers.

Abstract: A non-linear scale instrument responsive to a sensor which generates an output signal proportional to the magnitude of a changeable condition. A visible scale includes spaced gradations over the total extent of the scale, with spacings between pairs of scale gradations varying across the scale. A control circuit, in response to the output signal of the sensor, determines the angular position of and drives a rotatable pointer across the scale to the angular position corresponding to the magnitude of the condition measured by the sensor. The control circuit also automatically converts between different measurement units at the user's selection to re-position the pointer corresponding to the measured condition in the selected units.

Abstract: A device for determining the displacement of a vehicle on wheels which are connected to a body via a wheel suspension. The device includes apparatus for measuring a quantity which is indicative of the instantaneous vertical velocity of a wheel relative to the body. Using this quantity, the vertical component of the wheel displacement is eliminated so that in the event of a bumpy road surface a higher accuracy is obtained for determining the displacement of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A collective drive IC having a drive circuit for driving an electronic integrated distance indicator that indicates distance travelled by a vehicle is mounted on a wiring board together with the electronic integrated distance indicator. Drive circuits for driving a speedometer for indicating travel speed of the vehicle and a tachometer for indicating the number of revolutions of an engine are incorporated in the collective drive IC. The wiring board that has the collective drive IC and the electronic integrated distance indicator is accommodated in a single case to form an odometer unit. The odometer unit is releasably mounted on a meter case to which a main wiring board is fixed.

Abstract: A method of selecting a pinion for a vehicle speedometer system uses a transmission output speed sensor and a transmission controller which applies a pinion factor to the signal from the sensor to generate an output signal representing the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery-powered rotation detector detects passing of a rotating magnet attached to a vehicle wheel to generate and transmit a rotation signal. A receiver receives the rotation signal. A processor computes the vehicle running condition (e.g., speed, traveled distance) from the received rotation signal and displays the results on a display device. The processor monitors intervals between the rotation signals to detect when the vehicle is stopped. When the vehicle is stopped, the processor disconnects a battery power supply from components such as the display device for power savings. In addition, the processor checks the strength of the received rotation signal to determine a capacity of the battery in the rotation detector, and operatively indicates a power failure of the rotation detector.

Abstract: A speedometer/odometer apparatus, wherein a sensor inputs an electronic sensing signal to an amplifier and a selecting device to be amplified and output as a stable single stroke signal. The signal is combined with a frequency signal from a crystal oscillator and divided into regular pulses. The frequency of the pulses is divided by a frequency divider circuit and output as two signals with high accuracy for respectively controlling the speed indication of the speedometer and mileage indication of the odometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining distance coordinates along two orthogonal axes for a computer system, where the coordinates represent the position of a cursor on a screen of a display unit of the computer system. The apparatus includes a pair of velocity detectors and an operating device such as a CPU. When the velocity detectors are moved by an operator, each of the velocity detectors detects velocities along a respective one of the orthogonal axes. The detected velocities are converted into moving distances representative of the coordinates through a calculation of the operating device.

Abstract: An automotive mileage calculating apparatus of this invention consists of a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a slip detecting circuit, and a mileage calculating circuit. The slip detecting circuit detects a wheel slip either by comparing the accelerations calculated from the vehicle speed sensor's speed signal and from the acceleration sensor's acceleration signal; by comparing the vehicle speeds calculated from the vehicle speed sensor's speed signal and from the acceleration sensor's acceleration signal; or by comparing the mileages calculated from the vehicle speed sensor's speed signal and from the acceleration sensor's acceleration signal. During normal running, the mileage is calculated by using the speed sensor's speed signal. When a wheel slip is detected, the mileage calculation is performed by using the acceleration sensor's acceleration signal, thus giving a correct mileage.

Abstract: A sensor to be activated by the ground for sensing a user's movements includes a conductor that contacts the user's skin or maintains a specific distance relative to the user's skin; an electronic device connected to the conductor and responding to changes of electrical charges carried by the user resulting from his movements, thereby generating corresponding electronic AC signals; a DC to AC converter ot convert said electronic Ac signals into DC voltage signals; and a voltage level changing meter having a voltage range and operative to generate a signal when the DC voltage signals are outside the preset range.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic instrument for use on a bicycle and intended to indicate to the bicycle operator measuring values like actual speed or actual distance covered by the bicycle. The electronic instrument is provided with two signal receiving components on both sides of the middle plane so that the instrument can be mounted on both sides of the respective wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: A system for measuring distance traveled by a vehicle periodically updates the accumulated measurements, displays the updated measurements and electronically stores corresponding accumulations of updated distance data in a non-volatile memory device. The system employs a method of reading through the sequentially ordered storage locations of the non-volatile memory to determine the most recently stored correct data value as a value to be both displayed and used as a base value for subsequent measured distance accumulation.

Abstract: A system for measuring distance traveled by a vehicle periodically updates the accumulated measurements, displays the updated measurements and electronically stores corresponding accumulations of updated distance data in a non-volatile memory device. The system employs a method of reading through the sequentially ordered storage locations of the non-volatile memory to determine the most recently stored correct data value as a value to be both displayed and used as a base value for subsequent measured distance accumulation.

Abstract: In a signal generator with a magnetic rest, consisting of a ferromagnetic studded disk (13) with a U-shaped part (6) consisting of a permanent magnet (3) and lateral ferromagnetic small plates (4,5), two brackets (7, 8) are provided for on a support (1) between which the permanent magnet (3) and the small plates (4, 5) are capable of being clampingly inserted. This permits an easy assembly and adjustment of the permanent magnet (3) as well as of the small plates (4, 5).

Abstract: A non-contact system suitable for measuring velocity/distance of an object travelling inside a ferromagnetic pipeline utilizes magnetic dipoles written into the pipe surface by a transmission coil. These dipoles can be detected by a magnetic detector situated a fixed distance from the transmission point. If the time taken for a dipole to travel from the transmitter to the detector is recorded then this time will be proportional to the velocity of the system. The system functions both as a velocity measurement device and as a distance marker.Once the system detects a dipole it requests a further imprint, hence, a constant spacing is maintained between dipoles equal to the spacing between transmitter and detector.

Abstract: The device accurately calculates, retains and digitally displays the average speeds of and/or distances traveled by a skier. These functions are performed non-mechanically thereby allowing the ski to perform naturally. The device can be easily installed upon and removed from the ski without the use of tools and can mount upon the ski without causing any permanent damage to the ski.

Abstract: A speedometer/odometer system for use on a bicycle which system uses a magnet/coil arrangement and a signal processing means for providing a count of the spokes of a wheel as they pass the magnet/coil arrangement the count being determined over a selected time period to provide a digital signal speed indication or being cumulatively counted to provide a digital signal indication of distance travelled. The system can be easily calibrated by using means for producing a calibration constant which can be used to multiply the digital signals and the resultant signal supplied to a suitable digital display means for visually displaying the speed or distance for the rider.

Abstract: An electronic device particularly useful as a jogging computer comprises presetting means for presetting the size of the user's step, an inertia sensor sensing each step, a central clock, and a microprocessor computing the user's speed and distance travelled, and displaying same on an electronic display. The described device further includes a pacer which produces a tone at a preselected rate to aid the jogger in pacing himself. A second embodiment of the invention is described for attachment to a bicycle for measuring speed and distance travelled of the bicycle.

Abstract: An electronic tachometer utilizes a transducer, typically an optical encoder disc, connected to a movable mechanical element. The transducer produces a pair of triangular waves of fixed relative phase, each having slopes proportional to the velocity of the mechanical element. The triangular waves are differentiated and the resultant signals are sampled by gating pulses derived from the triangular waves themselves. The samples are combined to produce an output signal having a magnitude proportional to element speed and a polarity indicative of direction.In a combined system in which the transducer is attached to the shaft of a brushless motor, another output of the same transducer is used for commutation control of the motor stator windings. This arrangement is particularly useful in a velocity servo system, in which the tachometer output is compared with a signal indicating desired motor velocity. The comparator output is used to modify the commutation control so as to produce the desired motor velocity.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for driving an electronic speedometer (or tachometer) and an associated odometer of the type suitable for use in automobiles, trucks and tractors. The circuit includes a programmable divider which can be user calibrated so that a change in a system parameter, such as tire size, can be accommodated. The circuit employs a pulse generator producing timing pulses for a magnetically driven air core gauge. The timing pulses are produced in response to pulses indicative of the remote condition being sensed as, for example, wheel rotation or engine speed.

Abstract: An electronic tachograph for providing a chart recording of the speed of a vehicle and the distance travelled by the vehicle in relation to time includes an input transducer coupled to the vehicle drive to provide distance pulses representing the distance travelled by the vehicle, a sampling circuit which samples the distance pulses at a predetermined rate and provides pulses to a speed counter and a distance counter which responsively provide control outputs representative of the speed of the vehicle and the distance travelled by the vehicle for controlling stepping motors which effect the positioning of a speedometer shaft and the incrementing of an odometer, and for moving a speed stylus and an odometer stylus on a recording chart which is driven by a further stepping motor controlled by outputs of a time base generator which supplies timing pulses to the sampling circuit and the speed control circuits.

Abstract: A direct digital measurement proportional to tip clearance of the blades of a turbomachine is obtained by placing at each position on the casing where clearance is to be measured a pair of optical sensors. Each sensor comprises the ends of fiber-optic bundles communicating with a remotely positioned light emitter and a light detector. The sensors in the casing are spaced a short distance apart in the circumferential direction but both located at the same axial coordinate with respect to the axis of rotation. The two sensors each emit a beam of light at an angle to one another measured in a surface of revolution containing both light beams. The light reflected and scattered by a blade passing each beam is transmitted back through the adjacent or concentric fiber optics to photodiode detectors. A signal generator producing a stable frequency of pulses in the megacycle range provides the digital time base.

Abstract: A system for the spinning or twisting of thread or yarn in which a thread is supplied by a strand-supply spool and is collected on a strand-takeup spool so that the strand spans the distance between the spools over a predetermined length, the twist-generating spool being driven for a predetermined number of turns to bring the number of twists over the length to the normal twisting level before the two spools are operatively connected together for joint operation at the normal rate. The delay between operation of the nontwist-generating spool and the twist-generating spool is created by a counter responsive to the number of twists produced in the length during the interval.