Abstract: An antenna for circular polarization having an electrical dipole radiator which is oriented essentially parallel to an electrically conductive base surface in a plane of symmetry SE oriented perpendicular to the electrically conductive base surface. The dipole is in connection with a slot radiator which is configured in an electrically conductive base surface, with its longitudinal expanse along the intersection line between the plane of symmetry SE and the electrically conductive base surface. The slot radiator connection location is formed by means of connection points situated at the longitudinal edges and lying opposite one another. The electrical dipole radiator and the slot radiator are tuned to one another in their resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A diversity antenna system and method comprising a plurality of antennas, a plurality of switches and a plurality of phase shifters, wherein the switches and the antennas are selectively opened and closed or switched on an off to achieve equiphasing. This system separates the noise signal from the useful signal in order to achieve a proper determination of the different phases. In addition there is a receiver which is configured to receive the output of the diversity system. The logic control unit is configured to perform particular steps or algorithms in order to achieve equiphasing of the received signals.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a lightweight electronic device for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a one-piece case formed of a layered composite structure including polymer based, electrically insulating sheet material and electrically conductive sheet material that is compression molded or hydroformed to provide three-dimensional case details to accept one or more electronic devices such as circuit boards required for electrical control and display of vehicle based systems. The conductive sheet material is preferably a wire mesh which provides shielding from electrical anomalies and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.

Abstract: There is an antenna diversity system for radio reception in moving vehicles which includes a receiver, and at least two antennas coupled to the receiver. These antennas transmit antenna feed signals to an antenna diversity module coupled between the receiver and the antennas. In at least one embodiment, the antenna diversity module comprises at least one evaluation circuit for evaluating an interference in a reception signal, and at least one processor for adjusting a magnitude and a phase angle of a linear combination of the antenna feed signals. The evaluation circuit reads and sends an interference indication signal to the processor to create a relatively low interference signal. Thus, the diversity module combines the antenna feed signals in an adjustable manner based on an magnitude of phase angle, to form a linear combined signal that is present at the output of the antenna diversity module as a reception signal.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture integrally forms a resilient beam portion adjacent an edge thereof carrying a grounding pad. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining bearing and distance measurements between a mobile device and an object using Rf based measurements. The mobile device communicates with a control in the object to determine the relative bearing between the mobile device and the object with respect to magnetic north and, optionally, the distance between the mobile device and the object. An indicator on the mobile device aid in directing s the user of the mobile device toward the object as the mobile device is moved relative to the object. The mobile device can be a key fob and the object can be a vehicle.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh.

Abstract: A diversity processing system for providing interference masking signals in an interference suppression circuit. These interference masking signals are generated by an interference detector which through a coupling element couples in a signature signal into a reception signal. This reception signal is then passed to an amplifier, an optional frequency converter, an IF filter, a frequency demodulator and then on to an interference suppression circuit which provides a masking pulse to mask any distortion or interference associated with the diversity switching of antennas during operation.

Abstract: A multifunction timer device provides a time/date stamp on a dispensing container and includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to the container. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.

Abstract: An angle sensor for detecting an out-of-round condition includes a disc supporting angle coder rigidly attached to a rotating shaft and at least one fixed optical system including a coherent light source emitting a beam interfering with the angle coder of the support disc in order to code its angular position, a collimator of the said beam before interference and a photo detector of the modulated beam after interference. In one embodiment, two optical systems arranged 90° from each other are employed. An alternative embodiment includes one optical system and the disc includes a circular track radially centred in at least one of its angular positions relative to the incident collimated light beam, and a radially orientated photo detector.

Abstract: An electrical switching device in a motor vehicle includes an anti-ESD device which is formed by a metallic or metal-coated element on a surface of the switching device, with which an earth connection is associated via a defined air gap.

Abstract: A system and a method for configuring a communication system are provided. The communication system has an antenna system with a 3-D antenna grid. The configurable 3-D antenna grid has a plurality of antenna elements operably coupled to a plurality of switching elements. The method includes selecting a first 3-D antenna configuration associated with the configurable 3-D antenna grid from a plurality of antenna configurations. The method further includes controlling a memory device to output first data corresponding to the first 3-D antenna configuration. The method further includes closing selected ones of the plurality of switching elements to obtain the first 3-D antenna configuration in the configurable 3-D antenna grid in response to the first data. The first 3-D antenna configuration is one of the plurality of antenna configurations wherein at least a portion of the plurality of antenna elements are electrically coupled together.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.

Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.

Abstract: A remotely actuated trail marker apparatus includes a transmitter unit designed to be carried by a hiker or hunter, which selectively broadcasts an interrogation signal throughout a predetermined range. One or more associated receiver units are adapted for pre-positioning at specific trail waypoints or a final destination. Each receiver unit generates a user sensible reply signal, such as self-illumination, in response to receiving the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A disposable sanding device is fabricated as a continuous rope-like article which is adapted for selective segmentation and application as a plurality of serially arranged disposable hand sanding devices or ropes. Each hand sanding device is formed as a generally elongated rod shaped base portion formed of lightweight material such as closed cellfoam having a relatively constant cross-section along its line of elongation. An abrasive surface is permanently applied to the external surface of the base portion via an intermediate adhesive layer. As constructed, the sanding device is operable to conform to curvilinear contours of a work piece to be sanded upon application of user induced loading against the work piece. A dispenser holds a rolled length of sanding rope and includes a cutter feature for severing pieces of sanding rope from the coil as required as well as a retainer for the free end of the coil. A tensioning hand tool holds a severed length of sanding rope for precise applications.

Abstract: A spanner socket for application with conventional hand tools such as ratchet drivers and fixed wrenches employed for imparting torque to a work piece about an axis of rotation includes a generally cylindrical shaped base member which defines a predetermined number of engagement surfaces which are circumferentially arranged around the axis of rotation. The engagement surfaces are employed for releasably coupling with the associated hand tool. Two or more elongated drive pins are carried by the base member for rotation therewith about said axis of rotation. Each drive pin defines an axis of elongation, which is parallel to the axis of rotation and spaced from the axis of rotation for engagement with the work piece for the application of torque thereto.

Abstract: A projectile for an air arm is integrally formed from a single piece of dense malleable material formed as a body of revolution about a longitudinal axis having a head portion dimensioned for free sliding in the bore of an air arm and a skirt-like portion of frusto-conical form. The rearward end of the skirt portion is dimensioned to be in slight interference fit with the bore and the forward end is joined with the head portion to define a reduced diameter waist. The frustum is shell-walled, having a central recess opening to the rear and extending forwardly into the head portion. The head portion has a parabolically shaped outer surface which transitions smoothly into a hyperbolically shaped outer skirt surface for aerodynamic efficiency. Vanes are formed on the head portion to enhance in-flight spiraling rotation.

Abstract: A disposable sanding device is fabricated as a continuous rope-like article which is adapted for selective segmentation and application as a plurality of serially arranged disposable hand sanding devices or ropes. Each hand sanding device is formed as a generally elongated rod shaped base portion formed of lightweight material such as closed cell foam having a relatively constant cross-section along its line of elongation. An abrasive surface is permanently applied to the external surface of the base portion via an intermediate adhesive layer. As constructed, the sanding device is operable to conform to curvilinear contours of a work piece to be sanded upon application of user induced loading against the work piece. A dispenser holds a rolled length of sanding rope and includes a cutter feature for severing pieces of sanding rope from the coil as required as well as a retainer for the free end of the coil. A tensioning hand tool holds a severed length of sanding rope for precise applications.