Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a communication signal modulated with a composite video signal without the need for a synchronizing device. Samples are taken of an intermediate signal derived from the received communication signal that represents the power spectrum of the communication signal at different instants of time. From a priori knowledge of the spectral characteristics of the communication signal modulated with a composite video signal, predetermined features of the communication signal are identified based on the relative values of the samples collected over a period of time equal to an entire frame of the composite video signal. The sample with the maximum value of a plurality of sample values collected for one frame is coincident with the occurrence of a vertical synchronization pulse of the composite video signal, which occurs when no modulation is present, and therefore is representative of the power of the communication signal at the visual carrier frequency.

Abstract: A data carrier system is comprised of a vehicle-side controller 12 mounted at a vehicle 11, keys 19A and 19B, and an R/W device 31 installed in an office 29. A transponder 20 is built into each of the keys 19A and 19B. In this structure, after operational data has been transmitted from the vehicle-side controller 12 and written in a nonvolatile memory of the transponder 20, when the keys 19A and 19B are inserted in the R/W device 31 by a vehicle driver, the R/W device 31 reads the operational data from the transponder 20 and gives the same to a personal computer 30. Accordingly, an inconvenience of the vehicle driver carrying an IC card for recording operational data is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying a masking element adjacent a wall in a predetermined pattern. The masking element application apparatus includes first and second longitudinal members positioned at a predetermined distance from one another adjacent the wall and a dispenser for dispensing the masking element. The dispenser is carried laterally between said first and second longitudinal members and is slidable along said first and second longitudinal members from a first position to a second position. In operation, an end of the masking element may be attached to the wall when said dispenser is in said first longitudinal position and the masking element may be dispensed longitudinally along the wall by slidably moving said dispenser from said first position to said second position, thereby applying the masking element adjacent the wall in the predetermined pattern.