Abstract: An acoustic transformer includes at least one outer boundary wall. A plurality of inner walls are disposed within the outer boundary wall. The outer boundary wall and the inner walls define a substantially annular input opening divided by at least some of the inner walls into a plurality of circumferentially-spaced input sections. Each of the input sections has an inner circumferential side and an outer circumferential side. A substantially rectangular output opening is divided by at least some of the inner walls into a plurality of output sections. Each of a plurality of acoustic paths interconnects a respective one of the input sections with a respective one of the output sections. Each of the paths has a substantially equal path length and a substantially equal expansion rate.

Abstract: A method of operating a loudspeaker includes providing a digital audio signal and identifying a target transfer function to be applied to the signal. At least one coefficient of an FIR filter is generated. The generating includes performing Heyser spiral curve fitting, and fitting a three-dimensional curve based on a magnitude and phase of a target transfer function. The digital audio signal is filtered through the FIR filter. The filtered signal is inputted into the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A method of identifying motion within a field of view includes capturing at least two sequential images within the field of view. Each of the images includes a respective array of pixel values. An array of difference values between corresponding ones of the pixel values in the sequential images is calculated. A sensitivity region map corresponding to the field of view is provided. The sensitivity region map includes a plurality of regions having different threshold values. A presence of motion is determined by comparing the difference values to corresponding ones of the threshold values.

Abstract: A vehicle communication gateway configured to be located within an overland vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle communication gateway includes a controller; a memory connected to the controller; a short-range wireless communication interface connected to the controller; a long-range wireless communication interface connected to the controller; and an input-output module configured to connect to a CAN bus, an in-vehicle entertainment system, and a user interface. The controller is configured to receive information from the CAN bus, the in-vehicle entertainment system, and the user interface. The controller generates diagnostic messages regarding vehicle systems based on information received through the CAN bus. The controller also synchronizes files between the in-vehicle entertainment system and extra-vehicular devices, and communicates with in-building systems through the short-range wireless communication interface.

Abstract: A building security arrangement includes a sensor for emitting an audible alarm signal. A security system installed in the building detects the audible alarm signal and transmits an electrical alarm signal over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal. A central monitoring station receives the electrical alarm signal over the public switched telephone network and notifies an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

Abstract: A transformer saturation compensation circuit for loudspeakers in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding electrically coupled to an output, (b) a high pass filter, (c) a current dependent resistive load electrically coupled in parallel with the capacitor and electrically coupled to an input, (d) a switch located at the primary winding electrically coupled to the capacitor and the resistive load, the switch being rotatable to each of the taps, where the current dependent resistive load provides saturation compensation for different loudspeaker configurations without requiring changes to a highpass filter cutoff frequency, and (e) a resistive load electrically coupled in parallel with the current dependent resistive load and the capacitor.

Abstract: A method of attaching a mounting bracket to a substrate having a throughhole includes providing the bracket with two clamp halves. One of the clamp halves is translated in a radially inward direction relative to a body of the bracket to thereby place the one clamp half in a stowed position. The bracket is partially inserted through the throughhole such that the one clamp half in the stowed position passes through the throughhole and the other clamp half does not pass through the throughhole. After the partially inserting step, the one clamp half is translated in a radially outward direction relative to the body of the bracket to thereby place the one clamp half in an operable position. A threaded member that is threadedly engaged to the one clamp half is rotated to thereby move the one clamp half toward the other clamp half until the substrate is clamped between the two clamp halves.

Abstract: A security system includes a sensor for sensing a presence of an intruder within a protected space. A genetic sample-gathering mechanism takes a genetic sample from the intruder in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A microstripline transmission line arrangement carries a signal having a fundamental frequency. The arrangement includes a first microstripline transmission line, a second microstripline transmission line, and a coaxial electrically conductive conduit interconnecting the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The conduit includes a signal conductor and an electrically grounded shield substantially surrounding the signal conductor. The conductor and the shield are positioned relative to each other to thereby comprise a means for lowpass filtering the signal. A cutoff frequency of the lowpass filtering is less than a third harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: A microstripline transmission line arrangement carries a signal having a fundamental frequency. The arrangement includes a first microstripline transmission line, a second microstripline transmission line, and a coaxial electrically conductive conduit interconnecting the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The conduit includes a signal conductor and an electrically grounded shield substantially surrounding the signal conductor. The conductor and the shield are positioned relative to each other to thereby comprise a means for lowpass filtering the signal. A cutoff frequency of the lowpass filtering is less than a third harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: A security sensor apparatus senses movement of an object. The sensor apparatus includes an electronics arrangement having an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical receiver has an axis of reception. The optical emitter emits a first beam along an axis of emission in an emission direction. The axis of emission diverges in the emission direction from the axis of reception at an angle of at least two degrees. The electronics arrangement is mounted in association a first surface of the object or a second surface of a structure disposed in opposition to the first surface. A reflector arrangement includes at least one reflective surface and is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The at least one reflective surface receives at least a portion of the first beam and produces a second beam directed at and received by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A security system includes a perimeter sensor configured to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a first period of time upon sensing a security breach. An interior sensor is configured to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a second period of time upon sensing a security breach. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the perimeter sensor and the interior sensor. The controller is adapted, in response to the perimeter sensor entering into a fault condition, to reconfigure the interior sensor to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a third period of time upon sensing a security breach. The third period of time is longer than the second period of time.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical beam includes transmitting a first beam from a first optical transceiver to a second optical transceiver. A position of the second optical transceiver is adjusted based upon the received first beam. A second beam is transmitted from the second optical transceiver to the first optical transceiver. A command signal is transmitted from the second optical transceiver to the first optical transceiver. In response to the command signal, a position of the first optical transceiver is adjusted based upon the received second beam.

Abstract: An alert broadcast method includes wirelessly transmitting a first message from a first cellular communication device to a central transceiver. The first message has a characteristic identifying the first message as an alert message. A location of the first cellular communication device is determined. A plurality of second cellular communication devices that are within a proximity of the first cellular communication device are identified. A second message is transmitted from the central transceiver to the second cellular communication devices. The second message is dependent upon the first message.

Abstract: A security method includes transmitting an optical beam from a battery-powered transmitter. The beam carries a tamper signal and/or a battery status signal. The beam is received at a receiver. A radio frequency signal is transmitted from the receiver to a controller. The radio frequency signal includes an alarm signal if there is an interruption of reception of the beam at the receiver. The radio frequency signal is dependent upon the tamper signal and/or battery status signal.

Abstract: An article of clothing includes a sensor attached to a fabric body for detecting forces applied to the fabric body. A processor is attached to the fabric body and is communicatively coupled to the sensor. The processor receives signals from the sensor, analyzes the signals, and discerns therefrom whether a physical attack is occurring on a wearer of the fabric body. The processor emits a distress signal if it is discerned that an attack is occurring.

Abstract: A modular building system arrangement includes a plurality of electrical building systems. Each electrical building system has a housing with a mechanical connector that is connectable with a like connector of each other building system housing. Members of any subset of the building system housings are connectable with each other to form a building system assembly. The building systems of the building system assembly conjointly define an electrically conductive pathway interconnecting each of the building systems of the building system assembly. The pathway carries power and/or data.

Abstract: A building security arrangement includes a sensor for emitting an audible alarm signal. A security system installed in the building detects the audible alarm signal and transmits an electrical alarm signal over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal. A central monitoring station receives the electrical alarm signal over the public switched telephone network and notifies an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

Abstract: A security system includes a video system for capturing images of an intruder. A deterrent dispensing device dispenses a deterrent substance in a selected direction. An actuator module is communicatively coupled to the video system and is coupled to the deterrent dispensing device. The actuator module receives a video signal from the video system and, in response thereto, controls the deterrent dispensing device to thereby aim the dispensed deterrent substance in a direction of the intruder.