Abstract: A wireless access control system and method is described which permits wireless communication between a remote access controller and a central access controller on an “on demand” basis. The remote access controller can determine the state of the locking mechanism without communication to the central access controller when a valid access request is presented. However, if an invalid access request is presented, a remote wireless communicator will be placed in its transmission mode to request updated user control data from the central access controller. The remote wireless communicator can also be placed in its transmission mode to request updated user control data from the central access controller by a communication command input at a remote programming mode device.

Abstract: An alarm interface module is described that permits an alarm monitoring system to be operational through an existing wide area network (WAN) modem that is linked to an existing local area network (LAN) system wherein the alarm interface module has a first LAN port coupled to the LAN system, a second LAN port coupled to an output port of an alarm control panel of the alarm monitoring system, a WAN port coupled to the WAN modem, and a programming element capable of recognizing an identifying address dynamically assigned to the alarm control panels to route data from a remote alarm server to the alarm control panel while also permitting data communications to the LAN system from the WAN modem that are not initiated from the remote alarm server. The security system interface module of the present invention can be used with any security alarm panels, sensors, video devices, etc.

Abstract: An illuminated umbrella assembly having self-contained and protected lights is described.

Abstract: A security alarm system that may be selectively armed or disarmed when monitoring a protective premises is described which utilizes the position of an entry door to determine whether the security system should be armed or disarmed. The security system comprises (i) an entry door for permitting ingress to the protected premises from the outside of the entry door and egress from the protected premises from the inside of the door; (ii) means for selectively closing and opening the entry door; and (iii) a switch having a first state indicative of the entry door being in a closed position and a second state indicative of the entry door being in an open position wherein, when the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A method of loading floatable containers onto, and discharging floatable containers from, a seaworthy vessel to facilitate the transport of cargo. The vessel includes twin hulls which lie beneath the water's surface, a device for controlling the draft and the horizontal position of the vessel, a plurality of submersible platforms each of which lies on a longitudinally and transversely subdivided controllable air cell, device for controlling the draft and the horizontal position of the submersible platforms, and transverse trusses having engagement devices to support said platforms.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A two-point locking system for providing controlled access through a doorway is described comprising a controlled deadlatch assembly and a magnetic lock assembly. The controlled deadlatch assembly comprises (i) a deadlatch for selectively latching and unlatching a door, (ii) an input control device for selectively controlling the deadlatch, and (iii) a first wireless transmitter for transmitting a magnetic lock control signal. The magnetic lock assembly comprises (i) a metal housing unit, (ii) an armature plate, (iii) an electromagnetic element coupled to the housing unit and aligned to magnetically engage with the armature plate when selectively electrically energized, and (iv) a wireless receiver capable of receiving the magnetic lock control signal from the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A beverage serving apparatus for easily and sanitarily providing accompaniments to a beverage in a container is described. The beverage serving apparatus comprises: (i) a handling portion designed to avoid contact with the beverage; (ii) a container attachment portion for coupling the apparatus to the rim of the container; (iii) a first accompaniment attachment portion shaped to receive a first accompaniment; and (iv) a second accompaniment attachment portion shaped to receive a second accompaniment. Both the first accompaniment attachment portion and the second accompaniment attachment portion can comprise various designs including an elongated slot, a circular slot, a pressure clip, a pointed end, etc. In addition, the container attachment portion of the described beverage serving apparatus can comprise a flexible slot, a pressure clip, or various other designs.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning tool for automotive engine intake components is described which is easily manipulated even by non-skilled automobile technicians. The cleaning tool comprises: (i) a handle for griping the cleaning tool; (ii) a flexible, elongated rod shaft having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the rod shaft is coupled to the handle; (iii) an attachment collar having a first end coupled to the second end of the rod shaft and a second end; and (iv) a pliable cleaning head having a first end removably coupled to the second end of the attachment collar and a second end which includes a high tensile strength sponge designed to fit in and around surfaces of the intake components, and to effectively clean the intake components without damaging, or leaving any undesirable residue on, the surfaces of the intake components. The sponges of the present invention are typically comprised of polyvinyl alcohol to prevent shredding and are easily and inexpensively replaced after they become dirty.

Abstract: A security alarm system which may be selectively armed or disarmed when monitoring a protected premises is described which utilizes the position of a deadbolt to determine whether the security system should be armed or disarmed. The security system comprises (i) an entry door for permitting ingress to the protected premises from the outside of the entry door and egress from the protected premises from the inside of the entry door; (ii) a lock for selectively locking and unlocking the entry door; and (iii) a switch having a first state indicative of the lock being in a locked position and a second state indicative of the lock being in an unlocked position wherein, when the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed. Sensing means are also provided to determine if the lock was engaged from inside or outside the protected premises.

Abstract: A intruder detection system is described comprising a programmable alarm control panel capable of issuing an alarm signal representative of an intruder in a protected zone wherein the control panel is electrically coupled to a plurality of sensors by both a commonly connected status line and individual zone signaling lines between the panel and each sensor. The control panel is capable of providing distinct status information to each sensor to which it is coupled thereby permitting each individual sensor in the loop to be separately operational based on its own status as active or bypassed. For instance, if the sensor of zone 1 is active it can be set to an appropriate stability level for intrusion detection; alternatively, if, at the same time, the sensor associated with zone 2 is bypassed, it can be set to operate as a high sensitivity occupancy detector. The intruder detection system of the present invention utilizes status signals which individually identify and set each sensor.

Abstract: An electrical housing assembly is shown which is adapted to be affixed behind a finished surface such as a wall or ceiling and is designed to receive an electrical device which will be exposed outwardly from the finished surface wherein the housing assembly is comprised of an electrical box which has an open side to permit an electrician to easily inspect or conduct work on the wiring contained within the housing. The electrical box includes punch-outs which permit external wiring to be inserted within the box opening. A frame-shaped flat adaptor which is designed to affix an electrical device thereto is attached to the electrical box by a hinge assembly which permits the adaptor to remain coupled to the electrical box in both a closed position and an open position. A fastener, such as a snap-on clip, secures the adaptor to the electrical box in the closed position when desired by the electrician, but is also easily detachable.

Abstract: An alarm control panel and keypad for programming a security system having a panel keypad face which includes a plurality of push-button activation keys is described comprising a customized overlay template which is sized to overlay the panel keypad face in a manner which maintains exposure to the push-button activation keys and displays, wherein the customized overlay template is formed by feeding a standard-sized, rectangular paper or plastic sheet through a printer which provides desired written indicia whereby the customized overlay template is separated from the paper or plastic sheet by means of pre-fabricated perforations. The customized overlay template typically could be applied to the panel face by means of an overlaying protective acrylic cover, but also may be glued directly to the face of the panel.

Abstract: A multi-function, composite apparatus for mounting on a drag racing vehicle is described which includes: (i) a terminal panel having leads coupled to various vehicle control components of the vehicle to affect operation of the vehicle; (ii) a display means to depict a plurality of different racing indicia selectable by a user wherein at least one of said indicia relates to vehicle performance during racing such as delay box timers, throttle stop controllers, cross over delay timers, etc. and a second indicia relating to a non-racing function such as driver reaction time tester or race playback function; and (iii) a keypad having a plurality of user-operable keys including function keys to control what indicia is shown on the display means and data input keys to modify the data in the apparatus. All required outputs can be shown on a single visual display means.

Abstract: An air suspension apparatus for protecting a vehicle suspension and/or chassis during transport or storage is described comprising an inflatable bladder including an air valve for selectably inflating and deflating the bladder; a rigid top plate coupled to a top portion of the bladder, a rigid bottom plate coupled to the bottom portion of the bladder; a pliable, shock-absorbing top pad coupled over the top plate for engaging the vehicle thereon; and a pliable, shock-absorbing bottom pad coupled under the bottom plate for resting upon a mounting surface on which the vehicle will be transported or stored. The bottom pad will be comprised of a sufficient thickness and include an elongated slot sufficiently wide to house a hose which can be coupled to an air supply source and an air bleeder valve to efficiently inflate and deflate the rubber bladder.

Abstract: A combination temperature unit/intruder sensor is described wherein the thermistor used for adjusting the sensitivity of a passive infrared detector in a microprocessor of the unit is also used for the secondary purpose of indicating whether the ambient temperature of a protected zone falls outside a pre-selected temperature range. The detector, in addition to providing signals indicative of an intruder, can provide indications of possible freezing, thawing, or fire conditions. Both the intruder detection and temperature sensing capabilities are provided in a single, inexpensive housing.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically formulating an alpha-numeric comprehensive management and prognosis report at a centralized data management center for a patient at a remote location is defined comprising: means for converting information regarding the condition of the patient into data; a first telecommunications means for transferring data to the centralized data management center; and processing means at the centralized data management center for receiving the data and for generating the comprehensive management and prognosis report based on analysis of the data. A storage means is also provided at the centralized data management center for maintaining a record of the data received by and transmitted from the centralized data management center in a relational data base format.