Abstract: An apparatus and method for wire harness assembly employ a formboard with a plurality of holes and a plurality of layout sheets having respective free edges and opposing attached edges that are attached to the formboard so as to be aligned with and stacked upon one another. Each layout sheet also has a harness pattern thereon and a plurality of holes corresponding to holes in the formboard. One of the layout sheets can be selected to expose its harness pattern. The other unselected layout sheets comprise either or both of (i) at least one layout sheet under the selected layout sheet, and (ii) at least one layout sheet folded back from the selected layout sheet along the attached edge thereof. A plurality of guide pins can be inserted through respective holes in the selected layout sheet adjacent to its harness pattern, through respective holes in any unselected layout sheet under the selected layout sheet, and into corresponding holes in the formboard so as to be removably secured therein.

Abstract: A self-compensating fluid level sensor is described, including a dual array of capacitive sensors on a dielectric substrate, the dual array of sensors forming multiple sensor pairs. Multiple signal detection circuits including comparators are configured to compare the capacitance of a first sensor pair with a second sensor pair. The internal capacitance comparisons allow the fluid level sensor to compensate for variations in the dielectric of the fluid being measured, as well as for manufacturing and materials variations that affect capacitive sensing. The passive level sensor also provides a platform for providing additional circuitry for providing additional information regarding the liquid, such as liquid composition.

Abstract: A web based vehicle tracking system includes a passenger identification device that registers when a passenger boards and disembarks the vehicle. The web based vehicle tracking system utilizes a vehicle information system, that includes the passenger identification device, and a base station network administrator to monitor the travel of a vehicle and the on-board status of a passenger. Using, a user communications interface, a user accesses the Internet to query passenger on-board status information.

Abstract: In stationary or generally stationary devices that utilize the cellular network as a wireless front-end to another data network and that are involved strictly in machine-to-machine communication activities, a system is provided that supports the re-use of MINs between cellular markets. The system may also be used in other types of networks. A remote device, such as, for example, a cellemetry modem, communicates a commissioning request to a host system that has an associated system identifier (SID). The commissioning request includes a unique serial number (S/N) assigned to the remote device and an initial mobile identification number (MIN). If the remote device has not previously been commissioned, a temporary MIN from a list of predetermined temporary MINs is transmitted; otherwise, a previously assigned permanent MIN is transmitted.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a system for monitoring failure of a signal having lighting configured to indicate a predetermined alarm condition. The system includes a detector/transmitter responsive to lighting parameters at least during the predetermined alarm condition to generate a signal indicative of the lighting parameters; an attachment member configured to attach the detector/transmitter to a lamp socket of the lighting in an orientation in which the detector/transmitter assembly is responsive to light rays from a lamp mounted in the lamp socket when the lamp is on; and a receiver/concentrator responsive to the signal indicative of the lighting parameters to generate a signal indicative of predetermined fault conditions of the lighting.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is an alarm monitor for a railroad grade crossing, the grade crossing having an island activation relay that is activated in response to an approaching train, the alarm monitor including a micropower impulse radar (MIR) responsive to pedestrians and motor vehicles in a prohibited area of the crossing island during activations of the island activation relay; and a processor configured to generate a warning signal when the MIR detects a pedestrian or a motor vehicle in the prohibited area during an activation of the island activation relay.

Abstract: To reduce or eliminate difficulties inherent in manual reporting of signal light failures, especially at remote railroad grade crossings, there is provided, in one embodiment of the present invention, a system for monitoring failure of a lighted signal that includes lighting configured to flash during a predetermined alarm condition. The system includes a power supply configured to power the lighting during the predetermined alarm condition and to provide a timing signal indicative of power being applied to the lighting; a detector/transmitter responsive to the timing signal to detect lighting parameters when the lighting is flashed on to generate a signal indicative of the lighting parameters and to generate a signal indicative of the lighting parameters; and a receiver/concentrator responsive to the signal indicative of the lighting parameters to generate a signal indicative of predetermined fault conditions of the lighting.

Abstract: A method of communicating data between points along a fluid flow includes providing a plurality of remotely writable and readable data storage units capable of flowing in the fluid flow; remotely writing data to the data storage units as they pass a first point in the fluid flow; and remotely reading data from the data storage units as they pass a second point in the fluid flow downstream of the first point. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of remotely writable and readable data storage units capable of flowing in the fluid flow; a data writer at the first point for remotely writing data to the data carriers as they pass the first point in the fluid flow; and a data reader at the second point for remotely reading data from the data carriers as they pass the second point in the fluid flow.

Abstract: A power transfer device for electrically isolating two alternate power sources to a power distribution device so that only one power source is electrically connected to the power distribution device at one time. The power transfer device includes a first switch, connected to the first power source, having a actuator for operating the switch between an "on" position in which the first power source is electrically connected to the distribution pedestal, and an "off" position in which the first power source is electrically disconnected from the distribution pedestal, and a second switch, connected to the second power source, having a actuator for operating the switch between an "on" position in which the second power source is electrically connected to the distribution pedestal, and an "off" position in which the second power source is electrically disconnected from the distribution pedestal. A bar is slidably mounted adjacent the actuators on the first and second switchers.