Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a technical improvement for providing visualization of vehicle speed via a speedometer in an instrument cluster of a vehicle/driver interface of a transportation vehicle by providing multiple indicia of vehicle speed and rate of change of speed in a manner that connotes vehicle motion so as to enhance the driving experience for the driver and improve safety.

Abstract: A single bay parking meter device is provided which accepts payment by means of a credit or debit card, an electronic purse, or coins. The device has a power supply unit, a solar power charging arrangement and power management, such that it does not need power supply cables to be installed for each meter. The parking meter device also transmits financial data to a financial institution in a wireless manner, also to avoid the need for cabling. The parking meter device is receivable in the base of a conventional single bay parking meter, such that the new parking meter device may be retrofitted to existing coin operated installed single bay parking meters, using a new cover that is also engageable with the conventional housing base.

Abstract: A tamper resistant hourmeter is provided for an engine powered lawn mower. The hourmeter has a first pin connected to a positive voltage from a battery through a key actuated switch, a second pin to ground, a third pin to a magneto ignition, and a fourth pin to a fuel shutoff solenoid. The tamper resistant hourmeter connects the positive voltage from the battery to the fuel shutoff solenoid. The fuel shutoff solenoid opens a fuel line to the engine only if the key actuated switch is in either of the run or start positions.

Abstract: A tamper resistant hourmeter is provided for an engine powered lawn mower. The hourmeter has a first pin connected to a positive voltage from a battery through a key actuated switch, a second pin to ground, a third pin to a magneto ignition, and a fourth pin to a fuel shutoff solenoid. The tamper resistant hourmeter connects the positive voltage from the battery to the fuel shutoff solenoid. The fuel shutoff solenoid opens a fuel line to the engine only if the key actuated switch is in either of the run or start positions.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes functionality to perform at least two functions, a first of which may be timekeeping and the other of which is at least a function other than the first function.

Abstract: A digital engine operating time measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus is powered by a magneto of the engine and accumulates engine operating time only when the engine is operating. The apparatus includes power regulation circuitry including a pair of terminals coupled to the engine magneto. The power regulation circuitry converts a time varying electrical signal generated by the magneto when the engine is operating to a low voltage DC signal. The apparatus further includes digital circuitry coupled to an output of the power regulation circuitry for calculating accumulated engine operating time. The digital circuitry is powered by the low voltage DC signal of the power regulation circuitry and only accumulates engine operating time upon sensing the low voltage DC signal. The apparatus further includes a display coupled to the digital circuitry for displaying accumulated engine operating time as calculated by the digital circuitry.

Abstract: A timer is enclosed in a pressure tight enclosure which is attached to or is part of the motor rotor. Rotation of the rotor is sensed and the timer is turned on when the rotor is turning and is turned off when the rotor is idle. The version usable in motors of the progressing cavity type can power the timer, and provide timer control.

Abstract: A data word is used to represent the total amount of time duration or predefined events a device has experienced during its lifetime. The data word is incremented count by count while the device is powered on and each updated data word is backed up to a non-volatile memory. A two-version redundancy scheme is employed to ensure failsafe backup and restoration of the data word. At any time at least one valid version of the data word exists in the non-volatile memory. In another aspect, a partitioned memory configuration is implemented to backup the data word and its associated error correction code to the non-volatile memory. In this way the non-volatile memory is able to store a range of counts whose maximum number far exceeds the memory's endurance limit.

Abstract: A run time recorder device (1,10) monitors the operating time of an electrical appliance driven by AC. The device is coupled to the supply voltage and monitors the supply by determining the operating time of the appliance from the number of repetitions of the periodic wave form of the supply voltage. A reading device for use with the recorder device may be coupled to the recorder device either by the supply leads or via a contactless coupling for the transmission and reception of signals to and from the recorder device. A regulating device (200) for regulating a load apparatus (144) comprises a controller (110), a memory (116) for storing an instruction data set means (118) for monitoring a condition such as temperature which is used by the controller to determine when to change the operating state and an interface (120) for communicating with the load apparatus.

Abstract: A video game/communications system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of SNES game playing engines in response to guest selections. Each guest room guest room includes a terminal device which is coupled to the guest's color television and to a game controller. By pressing a game controller menu key, the guest room guest initiates the downloading of applications software by the host computer to the array of SNES engines located within the guest room. A downloaded applications program generate a display menu which appears on the guest's television.

Abstract: A time totaling meter and an unit thereof for internal combustion engines comprising a part of an ignition device to lead ignition pulses toward outside of the ignition device, pulse induction means to electromagnetically induce said ignition pulses, waveform shaping means to shape this electro-magnetically induced pulses, and judging means to determine whether this waveform shaped output pulses are derived from operation of the internal combustion engine or not, and capable of counting and storing total operation time of the internal combustion engine from initial operation thereof to said count memory means based on said output pulses selected by said judging means and displaying this counted operation time on display means.

Abstract: A parking time display device is provided in a car to display the time during which the car is parked. The parking time display device includes a sensor for detecting a stopping or parking condition of the car, a counter for counting time, a control circuit for controlling the counter, and a display. The display is arranged at a portion of the car which is visible from outside of the car.

Abstract: A digital movement data recording apparatus which controls reduction of an available portion of a record medium, particularly of an ID record area of a record medium, to increase the period of time over which movement data can be recorded. The apparatus comprises time counting means for starting counting of a time in response to ending of a movement of the vehicle, judging means for judging, in response to starting of a movement of the vehicle, whether or not the counted time remains within a predetermined range, and erasing means for erasing, when the counted time remains within the predetermined range, last time data recorded in a movement data record area of the record medium and representative of an ending time of a movement of the vehicle and address data recorded in the ID record area of the record medium and representative of the address of the movement data record area of the record medium at which the last time data are recorded.

Abstract: A system for on-board timing for a vehicle traversing a predetermined course having at least one marker or indicator such as a start/finish line placed on or adjacent the track. A sensor carried on the vehicle senses when the vehicle passes the marker and provides an electrical signal for actuating an on-board timer and display device. A timing circuit is activated as the vehicle passes a predetermined point (marker) the first and subsequent times. The display device displays the time it took to traverse the prior lap while the timing system times and records the time it is taking to traverse the lap being traversed so that this recorded time can be displayed during the following lap. This sequence of operation continues for each of the laps the vehicle traverses.

Abstract: An engine operating time measuring apparatus is provided for use with an engine having an internal magneto-type electrical generator providing an ignition voltage. The engine operating time measuring apparatus includes a housing and a pair of terminals extending outside the housing for connection with the monitored engine and extending inside the housing for connection with the time measuring apparatus. A subassembly including power supply circuitry, a clock movement drive assembly, gear train and mechanical counter for displaying the engine operating time is accurately positioned and retained in the housing cooperatively provided by a counter frame and a plurality of keying and positioning rails formed within the housing. A low torque clock movement for driving the mechanical counter is generated by a crystal-based clock motor movement assembly.

Abstract: A compact and inexpensive meter for measuring and recording the time an engine driven apparatus has been running. The apparatus includes a signal generator such as a piezoelectric transducer which produces an electrical current when the engine driven apparatus is operating, a rectifier for converting the electrical current produced by said signal generator to direct current, a transistor for receiving the electrical current from the rectifier and switching on a stopwatch timing unit when the voltage received from the rectifier reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An engine operating time measuring apparatus is provided for use with an engine having an internal magneto-type electrical generator providing an ignition voltage. The engine operating time measuring apparatus includes power supply circuitry coupled to the electrical generator of the monitored engine for supplying operating power to the apparatus in response to generated ignition voltage. Timing circuitry is responsive to the operating power supplying circuitry for generating a clock signal. A counter is responsive to the clock signal for counting the generated clock signal to identify the engine operating time.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a fork lift truck or other load handling vehicle comprises a plurality of transducers each assigned to detect a particular condition of vehicle usage; means for deriving from the transducers a plurality of binary signals each representative of the condition detected by a respective one of said transducers; and binary processing means including means for selectively gating the binary signals thereby to produce a plurality of sets of data each corresponding to a mode of vehicle usage represented by a respective combination of said signals. The sets of data are accumulated thereby to derive a count representative of the duration of each said mode of vehicle usage. The data read-out may be transmitted to a remove receive over an optical link.

Abstract: A completely electronic programmable hour meter is disclosed. The hour meter accumulates and displays run time of the device being measured. The hour meter can also count pulses. The meter can be preprogrammed with a maintenance timer limit which is compared to the accumulated run time. If the accumulated run time equals or exceeds the preprogrammed time limit an alarm display flashes. The hour meter will store the accumulated run time for up to 5 years if power is interrupted. This memory retention occurs without use of a battery. The elapsed time is stored in a plurality of registers such that no register is written to more than a preselected number of times, nominally ten thousand, until all the registers have been updated the preselected number of times.

Abstract: A Time Demand Counter permits a sensor to be mechanically coupled, by quick connect/disconnect means, to the power feed line of a monitored device with little disruption of the power feed circuitry. The sensor is nonloading in that essentially no energy is drawn from the monitored device's feed line to power the Time Demand Counter. Unlike current transformers previously used, the sensor does not have to be varied to complement the current drawn by the monitored device. A long useful battery life is assured for internally powered embodiments of the invention. Also, since the invention accumulates the record of ON/OFF cycles, as well as the total accumulated demand time, the average time the monitored device is used each time demand is placed on it can be readily determined.

Abstract: A single chip programmable microcomputer timer for use in car washers, air dispensing machines, pay showers, suntan salons, vacuum equipment and the like. The timer unit is designed with a 4,000 bit microcomputer chip and contains a large scale integrated (LSI) circuit comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) for program storage and a random access memory (RAM) for general data usage. The microcomputer functions to display a friendly message to the user of the timer and to display a diagnostic message on the timer's visual display when an error is recognized by the computer. The computer will flash the visual display at a predetermined time near the end of the cycle. Two programming buttons on the timer permit the coin inventory to be examined and/or cleared in conjuction with a nonvolatile memory designed in the computer. The computer also performs other functions all of which make the timer a very useful device for its many possible applications.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric monitoring system for use in association with a load handling vehicle, such as a fork lift truck. The system provides a number of transducers and switches operable in response to operating conditions of the vehicle such as whether it is loaded or unloaded, and whether it is stationary or being driven, and gating circuitry interconnects these transducers and switches with a variety of timers and counters which record the various modes of use of the vehicle during a working shift.

Abstract: A device for measuring and displaying the time elapsed in increasing or in decreasing the speed of a vehicle from one predetermined velocity to another includes means for starting a clock at a predetermined, selectable speed, means for stopping the counter when a predetermined, higher or lower speed has been attained, means for displaying the time elapsed in increasing the predetermined starting speed to the predetermined, higher or lower ending speed, and means for resetting the clock counter.

Abstract: A meter beater timer is provided which alerts the user when a pre-determined time interval has expired so that he can return to the meter and deposit additional coins if necessary. Unlike previous timers, the user is reminded to set the timer when he withdraws the ignition key from the ignition. The key is attached to a key ring and to a key chain which retracts into the timer housing when the key is removed from the ignition depressing a plunger which sets off an alarm. An electronic version and a mechanical version are provided.

Abstract: A system for recording the total time that a motor vehicle is running, the time that the motor is running while the vehicle is stationary, and the time that the vehicle is running while the vehicle is moving. The system includes three electrically driven timers, one of which is connected in series with the oil pressure switch of the motor so that the timer is energized while the motor is running. The remaining two timers are alternately energized when the output of a speedometer generator is above or below a predetermined value. These timers are also connected in series with the oil pressure switch so that the timers may be not energized unless the engine is running. The record generated by the system can be used to obtain a rebate of road taxes for fuel used while the vehicle is stationary.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording system for recording operating parameter information on transportation equipment, such as large trucks and the like. The recording system includes at least one circuit line for operation thereof and is characterized by a sensor for sensing circuit line impedence changes indicative of unauthorized shut down of the system, as well as a recording member responsive to the sensor for visually recording any occurrences of these impedence changes on the recording medium.

Abstract: A device for indicating required vehicle maintainence at predetermined elapsed mileage intervals includes a clock generator which is driven by the vehicle engine ignition pulse. The clock output is fed to a frequency divider, which in turn drives four counters. Each counter includes AND logic connected to selected outputs thereof to be switched on after a pre-determined count is obtained by the counter. The AND logic of each counter drives a flip-flop which actuates an LED warning lamp. Each counter circuit includes a reset button which resets the counter and its associated flip-flop. The LEDs may be labelled with a service function which should be performed after the time interval indicated by the respective LED.

Abstract: A digital time meter for use in a vehicle or other motorized equipment for sensing, accumulating, displaying and retaining the total time a monitored signal from the vehicle or the equipment is present employs a crystal oscillator time base to time the monitored signal. The meter uses integrated circuits to count pulses emanating from the time base in order to accumulate the total time the monitored signal is present. These integrated circuits also have decoder/driver circuitry with multiplexing capabilities to operate a digital display. Power to operate the meter is obtained from the monitored signal when said signal is present, and a replaceable internal battery when said signal is absent. The battery can be replaced without affecting the timing and accumulating functions of the meter provided the monitored signal is present. When the monitored signal is absent, a display switching circuit disables the display to prolong battery life.