Abstract: A complementary security system for installation, at least in part in a vehicle, has an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) security system installed therein. The complementary security system for communicating an alarm condition beyond the communication range of the OEM security system. The complementary security system comprising: a control module for receiving a trigger signal being indicative of the alarm condition detected by the OEM security system; a communication module for transmitting by Radio Frequency (RF) an alert signal upon receipt of the trigger signal by the control module; and a remote transmitter for alerting a user upon receipt of the alert signal. The remote transmitter being located beyond the communication range of the OEM security system. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: A digital processor-based remote controller of a wireless remote control system includes a small number of manual input devices, such as keys and scroll wheels, and a graphical user interface. The remote controller can have a single scroll wheel with internal push-to-activate switch, and a small display. This configuration minimizes the size of the remote controller, while allowing for a large number of different control commands to be transmitted to the controlled system. In addition, the remote controller can be configured by the user for both right- and left-handed operation.

Abstract: A strip with multiple LEDs is installed on a wheel. When the wheel rotates, the LEDs are activated by a controller in accordance with stored image files, displaying the images. The LEDs may be multi-color devices, displaying the images in multiple colors. The image files may be downloaded over a wired or wireless connection. The controller monitors a sensor to determine angular positions of the LEDs in real time. The controller may vary the images in predetermined ways, or in response to commands received wirelessly from a control device. The LEDs may be powered by a generator driven by acceleration of the wheel, or by air movement in relation to the wheel. Multiple LED strips may be installed on a wheel to improve image appearance. Multiple wheels of the same vehicle may be equipped with LED strips. The images displayed on the wheels may be coordinated over a wireless interface.

Abstract: A color-to-temperature converter senses temperatures of a device, translates the temperatures into light of different colors, and emits or displays the light. The color-to-temperature converter includes a tri-color light emitting diode (LED) assembly with inputs corresponding to red, green, and blue monochromatic LEDs within the assembly. The processor of the converter separately controls the intensity of each monochromatic LED of the assembly, and the outputs of the monochromatic LEDs converge to appear as one color to an observer. In typical operation, the relationship between the temperature input and the converged color imparts to the observer an intuitive understanding of the consequences of the sensed temperatures to operation of the device whose temperatures the converter monitors.

Abstract: A light-to-speech transforming circuit is coupled to an indicator light of a legacy security system. The transforming circuit detects flashes of the indicator light, interprets sequences of the flashes, and correlates the sequences to specific events monitored by the security system. The events are then correlated to speech segment data of various audible announcements. The segment data is used to drive a speaker, so that the user can hear the announcements. The transforming circuit can include a learning feature, whereby it prompts the user to cause specific events of the security system, such as zone violations, and then prompts the user to speak the announcements corresponding to the events. The transforming circuit records the flashing sequences and the announcements corresponding to the sequences, and delivers the announcements when the corresponding events occur during operation of the security system.

Abstract: A cooling system for audio equipment uses a temperature sensor and Peltier effect module in a feedback control loop. The cooling system reads the temperature sensor to obtain the temperature of an audio component of the equipment, and adjusts the drive for the Peltier effect module that cools the audio component, to prevent overheating of the component. The cooling system may include an autonomous power supply that generates electric power from the audio signal driving a loudspeaker of the audio system. In another embodiment, the cooling system cools an audio component installed in a vehicle, even when the vehicle is unattended. To prevent discharge of the vehicle's battery, the cooling system employs a battery supervisor for turning the cooling system off when the battery has discharged down to a predetermined state.

Abstract: A vehicle immobilizer disables a vehicle's system after receiving from a vehicle security system two immobilizer control signals in predetermined states. The vehicle's system is a necessary system for the vehicle to run, for example, an ignition system or an engine computer, so that the vehicle is immobilized when the necessary system is disabled. The immobilizer includes switching and self-biasing circuits that bypass the security system. Bypassing the security system reduces the likelihood of immobilizing a running vehicle because of a security system malfunction.

Abstract: A color-to-temperature converter senses temperatures of a device, translates the temperatures into light of different colors, and emits or displays the light. The color-to-temperature converter includes a tri-color light emitting diode (LED) assembly with inputs corresponding to red, green, and blue monochromatic LEDs within the assembly. The processor of the converter separately controls the intensity of each monochromatic LED of the assembly, and the outputs of the monochromatic LEDs converge to appear as one color to an observer. In typical operation, the relationship between the temperature input and the converged color imparts to the observer an intuitive understanding of the consequences of the sensed temperatures to operation of the device whose temperatures the converter monitors.

Abstract: A light-to-speech transforming circuit is coupled to an indicator light of a legacy security system. The transforming circuit detects flashes of the indicator light, interprets sequences of the flashes, and correlates the sequences to specific events monitored by the security system. The events are then correlated to speech segment data of various audible announcements. The segment data is used to drive a speaker, so that the user can hear the announcements. The transforming circuit can include a learning feature, whereby it prompts the user to cause specific events of the security system, such as zone violations, and then prompts the user to speak the announcements corresponding to the events. The transforming circuit records the flashing sequences and the announcements corresponding to the sequences, and delivers the announcements when the corresponding events occur during operation of the security system.

Abstract: A security system in a vehicle extends its protection to installed equipment of the vehicle, such as audio components, navigation systems, and entertainment systems. The installed equipment is armed and disarmed by the security system, preventing the equipment from normal functioning after unauthorized removal. The security system further enables programming, monitoring, and diagnosing of the installed equipment through the security system's remote control, through a configuration and maintenance tool that connects to the security system, or through other items of installed equipment within the vehicle, such as a rear-seat entertainment system.

Abstract: A color-to-temperature converter senses temperatures of a device, translates the temperatures into light of different colors, and emits or displays the light. The color-to-temperature converter includes a tri-color light emitting diode (LED) assembly with inputs corresponding to red, green, and blue monochromatic LEDs within the assembly. The processor of the converter separately controls the intensity of each monochromatic LED of the assembly, and the outputs of the monochromatic LEDs converge to appear as one color to an observer. In typical operation, the relationship between the temperature input and the converged color imparts to the observer an intuitive understanding of the consequences of the sensed temperatures to operation of the device whose temperatures the converter monitors.

Abstract: A loudspeaker motor structure uses variable geometry to change the effective magnetic field acting on the voice coil of the motor structure. A magnet generates the magnetic field, which couples into a front plate, a back plate, and a pole piece. In one loudspeaker, the front plate and the pole piece have notches and slots. Rotating the pole piece relative to the front plate varies the width of the gap between the pole piece and the front plate, and the effective magnetic field in the gap. In another loudspeaker, the pole piece moves up and down in relation to the back plate. This movement varies the magnetic coupling between the pole piece and the back plate and, consequently, the effective magnetic field in the gap between the pole piece and the front plate. Variations in the effective magnetic field in the gap result in variations of the loudspeaker parameters.

Abstract: A cooling system for audio equipment uses a temperature sensor and Peltier effect module in a feedback control loop. The cooling system reads the temperature sensor to obtain the temperature of an audio component of the equipment, and adjusts the drive for the Peltier effect module that cools the audio component, to prevent overheating of the component. The cooling system may include an autonomous power supply that generates electric power from the audio signal driving a loudspeaker of the audio system. In another embodiment, the cooling system cools an audio component installed in a vehicle, even when the vehicle is unattended. To prevent discharge of the vehicle's battery, the cooling system employs a battery supervisor for turning the cooling system off when the battery has discharged down to a predetermined state.

Abstract: A color-to-temperature converter senses temperatures of a device, translates the temperatures into light of different colors, and emits or displays the light. The color-to-temperature converter includes a tri-color light emitting diode (LED) assembly with inputs corresponding to red, green, and blue monochromatic LEDs within the assembly. The processor of the converter separately controls the intensity of each monochromatic LED of the assembly, and the outputs of the monochromatic LEDs converge to appear as one color to an observer. In typical operation, the relationship between the temperature input and the converged color imparts to the observer an intuitive understanding of the consequences of the sensed temperatures to operation of the device whose temperatures the converter monitors.

Abstract: A system operable with a passive anti theft security system having a first coil connected to a passive anti theft controller for transmitting a first signal to a first transponder having a third coil and a first code therein, said first transponder responsive to said signal transmitting said first code to said first coil, the system comprising a second transponder having a second code and a fourth coil with two terminal ends wound about said third coil of said second transponder; and a relay selectively shorting or opening said terminal ends of said fourth coil to selectively enable and disable said second transponder.