Patents Assigned to Actron
  • Patent number: 5337040
    Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of labels (21) used for preventing the shoplifting of articles (20) and which are provided with an electrical resonant circuit having a resonant frequency in the MHz range, comprises several pairs of transmitting and receiving antennas (8 to 13), which in each case bound passages (5 to 7) to be monitored. The transmitting antennas (8, 10, 12) of the pairs in each case radiate electromagnetic waves, whose frequency is wobbled in wobble cycles over the predetermined resonant frequency of the labels. The wobble cycles of all the pairs are synchronized with one another. To the receiving antenna (9, 11, 13) of each pair is connected a receiving circuit (17 to 19) detecting the presence of a label. For simplifying the installation, the invention proposes that the h.f.-oscillations radiated as electromagnetic waves by means of the transmitting antennas are generated by decentralized h.f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs AG
    Inventor: Burckart Kind
  • Patent number: 5315096
    Abstract: The described device is part of a product theft prevention system and is used for deactivating resonance labels. It is intended for use in combination with a hand-held optoelectronic bar code reader (1), so as to permit the deactivation at the checkout of shops and stores of electronic resonance labels provided with a bar code and attached to products in a single operation and simultaneously with the determination of the bar-coded data. The deactivator has antennas (8, 9), which are located in a casing (11) fixable externally to the front end of the hand-held bar code reader (1) and which are constructed as ferrite antennas. As a result of the housing of the antennas (8, 9) and preferably all the high frequency-carrying parts (14, 15) of the deactivator in a separate casing (11), the deactivator can be used in combination with any random hand-held bar code reader, without any changes having to be made to the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Entwick Lungs AG
    Inventors: Philipp Muller, Alain Wacker
  • Patent number: 5257010
    Abstract: A process and circuit device for the deactivation and subsequent proof of a resonance label which has a resonant circuit with a certain Q factor and a certain frequency. The resonant circuit is energized with and disabled by a deactivation energy during deactivation. During deactivation, time is divided into a continuous alternating sequence of first and second time periods which directly follow one another. A transmission antenna transmits a deactivation energy during each of the first periods of time in the form of a sequence of separate deactivation impulses to cause the resonant circuit of the resonance label to oscillate in a resonant mode. The height and the width of each of the deactivation impulses and the number of the deactivation impulses within the impulse sequence are such that the impulse sequence delivers sufficient energy to deactivate the resonance label. The transmission is stopped and the transmission antenna is disabled for each of the second periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs
    Inventor: Jurgen Rehder
  • Patent number: 5194849
    Abstract: A process and circut device for the deactivation and subsequent proof of a resonance label which has a resonant circuit with a certain Q factor and a certain frequency. The resonant circuit is energized with and disabled by a deactivation energy during deactivation. During deactivation, time is divided into a continuous alternating sequence of first and second time periods which directly follow one another. A transmission antenna transmits a deactivation energy during each of the first periods of time in the form of a sequence of separate deactivation impulses to cause the reosnant circuit of the resonance label to oscillate in a resonant mode. The height and the width of each of the deactivation impulses and the number of the deactivation impulses within the impulse sequence are such that the impulse sequence delivers sufficient energy to deactivate the resonance label. The transmission is stopped and the transmission antenna is disabled for each of the second periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Actron Entwicklungs AG
    Inventor: Jurgen Rehder
  • Patent number: 5146168
    Abstract: A timing analyzer for engine diagnostic testing includes a variable sensitivity knob for testing ignition timing for both a conventional four stroke engine and a DIS four stroke engine. The timing analyzer has a pickup which is adapted to be placed around a lead from a spark plug in the engine. During spark plug firing, a current spike appears in the spark plug lead. The timing analyzer is adapted to be triggered when a current spike above a selected threshold level is detected. When the timing analyzer is triggered, a pulse of light is produced from the nose cone of the analyzer. During engine operation, the spark plugs are continuously being fired, which creates a strobe light effect from the analyzer. The timing analyzer is aimed at timing marks on the engine block, and at a single mark on the rotating flywheel, which permit the engine to be properly timed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alexander Shaland
  • Patent number: 5138666
    Abstract: The invention provides a combined microphone and amplifier assembly that is releasably connected to the voice emitter passage of a conventional face mask without requiring any penetration or structural modification of the face mask including the voice emitter passage of the mask. The combined microphone and amplifier assembly includes a body mounting and enclosing within a main compartment an amplifier circuit board and a speaker. The body further includes one or more battery compartments having selectively removable covers which afford ready access to the batteries contained within the compartments. Connected to the body is a mounting bracket that facilitates the quick and easy releasable connection of the combined microphone and amplifier assembly to the mask without any penetration or structural modification of the mask being required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alfred Bauer, Thomas A. Dobbins
  • Patent number: 5132625
    Abstract: An ignition adapter for DIS four stroke engines provides conventional voltage waveforms for a diagnostic oscilloscope. Spark plug leads from a DIS four stroke engine are grouped together depending on their respective firing polarity. A first signal pickup is placed around the spark plug leads from the spark plugs of one signal polarity, for example a positive signal polarity, and a second signal pickup is placed around the spark plug leads from the spark plugs of opposite polarity, for example a negative signal polarity. A trigger pickup is placed around the #1 cylinder spark plug lead. The voltage waveforms received in the signal pickups are applied to the ignition adapter, summed and displayed on the oscilloscope as a conventional voltage waveform. The polarity of the waveform can be reversed using a polarity switch. The waveform received in the trigger pickup is applied to the ignition adapter and compared to a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alexander Shaland
  • Patent number: 5091695
    Abstract: An electronic meter for testing engine parameters includes a slide switch and related circuitry for detecting, scaling and displaying the correct value of engine speed for both a conventional four stroke engine and a DIS four stroke engine, as well as for a two stroke engine. The electronic meter has a pickup which is adapted to be placed around a lead from a spark plug in the engine. The electronic meter is adapted to be triggered when a current spike in the spark plug lead is above a selected threshold value. When the electronic meter is triggered, a voltage pulse is stored in an integrating circuit in the meter. The electronic meter scales the voltage across the integrating circuit, measures the scaled voltage, and displays the value on the meter. The slide switch and associated circuitry for the electronic meter are adapted to vary the threshold level for the trigger, as well as appropirately reduce the output voltage of the integrating circuit, depending on the type of engine being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Alexander Shaland
  • Patent number: 4901356
    Abstract: A voice transmission system for a face mask includes a microphone assembly partially received in and threadedly connected to an emitter passage through the mask to position a microphone on the inside of the mask. An amplifier assembly is threaded onto the outer end of the microphone assembly until spring loaded electrical contactors on the amplifier assembly resiliently engage circumferentially continuous contacts on the microphone assembly to complete an electrical circuit between the microphone and the amplifier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alfred Bauer
  • Patent number: 4876416
    Abstract: A multiple position rotary switch is disclosed for incorporation into an electrical device. The switch comprises an annular cup that serves as a housing for the switch and which receives a knob for rotation therein. The knob is retained within the cup by a circuit board that is removably secured to the cup. The circuit board includes a first major surface having a switching circuit formed thereon and a second major surface. The circuit board is removably secured to the cup by a plurality of barbed ears which extend from the sidewall of the cup such that the first surface of the board is located between the knob and the second surface of the board. The cup includes an upstanding sidewall and a race against which the knob rotates. The race includes a plurality of protrusions which facilitate the retention of the knob in preselected positions as the knob is rotated. The knob comprises a cylindrical disk having on one surface a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Leo R. Frantz, Alfred Bauer, Matthew H. Koran, Jack Becker
  • Patent number: 4670844
    Abstract: A novel drive-in traffic control for a bank which includes a computer for controlling the various signs, teller stations, supervisor's desk panel, sensors and a printer and which has provisions for allowing various timing to be varied with a number of control switches. Furthermore, additional teller stations and additional waiting lanes of cars can be added without rewiring the computer terminal and only additional modular wiring units need be added so as to allow additional elements and stations to be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Actron, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Lach, Randall R. Welton
  • Patent number: 3996454
    Abstract: A system automatically and continuously monitors the performance of separate servomechanisms operating in each of the axes of numerically controlled machine tools to detect when actual machining errors exceed a predetermined maximum due to any malfunction by comparing actual feedback slide velocity, .DELTA.S.sub.2 /T, (as determined by change, .DELTA.S.sub.2, in a feedback position signal, S.sub.2, over a period of time, T) with the commanded system drive velocity, V, (as determined by the difference between commanded position and position feedback signals, S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, respectively, times a gain factor, K). The difference between .DELTA.S.sub.2 /T and K (S.sub.1 -S.sub.2) is machining error which can be used to detect actual error in any axis for alarm or corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: Actron Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley G. Froyd
  • Patent number: 3990296
    Abstract: An acoustical imaging system wherein an acoustic beam projected through a transmission medium is modified (scattered) by a subject therein and impinges upon one side of an acousto-optic interface. The other side of this interface is made concave and mirror-surfaced to reflect an illuminating laser beam. The acousto-optic interface is "composite," being fabricated from an epoxy matrix with a multitude of tiny spherular capsules, or "microballons" distributed therein to thereby match the acoustic impedance of this interface to that of the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Actron, a Division of McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Erikson
  • Patent number: 3959784
    Abstract: Data is stored in frames of fixed format at successive intervals along a ribbon or photographic film. Synchronizing marks on the storage medium indicate the location of each data frame and detection of each successive synchronizing mark triggers a light source which illuminates the film with successively different wavelengths of radiant energy. Successive data frames of the successive wavelengths or colors are imaged on successive detector arrays, each detector array having its elements arranged in a pattern similar to the format of the data. When all the detector arrays have been used, the cycle of colors and of detector arrays is repeated. The detector arrays consist of photodiodes operated in the charge storage mode. After exposure, the elements of the arrays are sampled in a predetermined sequence based on the format of the data, to produce the desired high speed output data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: Actron
    Inventor: Michael J. Meier
  • Patent number: 3950099
    Abstract: A two-axis image motion detector detects two separate velocity channels through a single optical channel with a single photo detector. A single disc rotates at a substantialaly constant rotational speed and contains a pair of orthogonal grid patterns of different spatial frequencies. Preferably, each grid pattern is at 45.degree. with respect to a radial. An image focused on the grid pattern modulates the carrier frequencies determined by the different grid patterns, thereby generating a composite output in the single photo detector representing the sum of the two image motion channels. Standard filtering and demodulating techniques generate a DC voltage proportional to the image rate for each of the orthogonal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1972
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1976
    Assignee: Actron Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Malueg
  • Patent number: 3949162
    Abstract: Fixed pattern noise compensation is provided for an array of detectors by premeasuring output signals of the detectors under a low (preferably at virtually absolute zero) level of uniform incident energy, converting the measured signal level of each detector to digital signals, and storing the digital signals in a memory for reading out in synchronism with scanning outputs of the detectors during normal system operation. The digital compensation signals are converted to analog form and subtracted from the output signals of the respective detectors during each successive scan cycle of the system operation. To eliminate error from random noise, several noise measurements may be averaged to produce the fixed pattern noise compensation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: Actron Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Malueg
  • Patent number: 3940740
    Abstract: The utility of microelectronic devices and the yield of a microelectronic fabricating process is increased by providing, in addition to the desired circuits, "redundant" circuits of the same type. Each circuit has included, in at least one access lead, a nonvolatile, electrically alterable semiconductor device, which can be "set" to either conduct or not conduct power to the circuit.During testing, only the desired number of devices are rendered accessible by "setting" the semiconductor device to conduct.A microelectronic device having repetitive rows and/or columns for memory cells or logical processors is provided with additional rows and columns. An electrically alterable device is placed in each row and column. Upon the successful test of each row, the row enabling device is set to a conductive state. Any row containing a defective device is not enabled. If additional defects exist, and no redundant rows are available, redundant columns are disabled to isolate the defective devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: Actron Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland I. Coontz
  • Patent number: D291636
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Actron Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Rechberg
  • Patent number: D331711
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Cervas
  • Patent number: D345703
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Cervas