Abstract: A palm-held acoustical sensing device provides improved accessibility within an engine compartment for sensing engine noise in order to perform diagnostics. Miniaturized electronics are provided within a compact housing that permits free use of the sensing device within an engine compartment, enabling access to engine components that have previously been accessible only with great difficulty. Clamping sensors having wider bandwidth than existing clamping sensors provide improved sensing capability and an electronics and battery housing having one or more sensor input jacks provides for attachment of multiple sensors, improved storage and a lower cost unit providing the advantages of both a flexible shaft sensing unit and a clamping unit.

Abstract: A distributed residential alarm system and method provides protection of occupants and property from loss due to theft or hazardous conditions in the residence such as fire or flooding. The alarm system includes multiple alert detectors coupled via a wireless connection to multiple control units each capable of providing master control functions. The control units and detectors communicate with the detectors and each other via a token-passing scheme, whereby unit pairs may be located within the distance limitations of each nodal connection, thus providing coverage over a longer distance than would be possible with communication to a central unit. The system also provides modularity and scalability in that sensors may be easily added to the system and the system is not dependent on any one of the control units in order to function.

Abstract: A digital summing phase-lock loop circuit with sideband control provides high accuracy and high speed acquisition in a multi-loop frequency synthesizer. A digital phase comparator is used to control a voltage-controlled oscillator in response to inputs from multiple external loops. An initial sweep condition is set by a sweep control circuit to provide resolution of lock ambiguities in the multiple external loops. Sideband selection may be performed by selecting on of an inverted or non-inverted output of the digital phase comparator.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling resonance within a resonator-enhanced optical system provides improved tracking performance in resonator-enhanced optical measurement and data storage and retrieval systems. The system includes an illumination subsystem and a detection subsystem with an optical resonator interposed in an optical path between the illumination subsystem and the detection subsystem. The resonance of the optical resonator is tuned, either by changing the wavelength of the illumination subsystem or the geometric path length within the resonator. Closed-loop feedback control signals can thereby maintain resonance at a desired operating point. The feedback control signal components can be further used to provide measurement data if the resonance of the optical resonator is a function of a measured surface, such as when a reflective surface of the resonator is a surface under measurement.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a household water supply provides protection of structures and fixtures from water damage due to plumbing failure or other causes. The household water supply is shut-off in conformity with a determination that the household is unoccupied and thereby provides automatic protection from water damage.

Abstract: An assembly and method for mounting thick integrated circuit packages within a low-profile circuit module provides a low cost alternative to special integrated circuit packaging requirements. Pre-packaged thin-small-outline-packages (TSOP), thin-plastic-quad-flatpack (TQFP) and other similar surface mount packages may be used within a low-profile circuit module, using the techniques and structures of the present invention. A straight lead package is mounted within a cavity in the circuit module substrate, so that the effective height of the integrated circuit package is reduced. Curved lead packages are used by straightening or sawing the leads before mounting.

Abstract: The battery accepting unit for a battery operated electric/electronic apparatus includes a plurality of positive terminals and a plurality of negative terminals. The battery accepting unit has a first position whereat a battery is connected by a pair of positive and negative terminals; a second position whereat a battery is connected by another pair of positive and negative terminals; a third position that can serve as both said first and said second positions; and a fourth position whereat a battery is connected by all positive and negative terminals. According to the battery accepting unit of the present invention, a battery pack can be exchanged without halting the power supply to an electric/electronic apparatus. Since an auxiliary power source, such as a sub-battery, is not required for an electric/electronic apparatus, a single power system, including a DC/DC converter and a charging circuit, can be provided.