Abstract: A microprocessor controlled hazardous condition detection system with volatile and non-volatile memory containing a sensor package, the sensor package containing sensors exposed to the ambient environment, and an alarm element coupled to the sensor package through a microprocessor where the microprocessor includes a memory storage device containing a plurality of alarm thresholds stored therein, each of the plurality of alarm thresholds being associated with a predetermined set of levels in the ambient environment where the microprocessor receives periodic readings from the sensor package, the microprocessor conditions the received readings by removing a selected amount of noise and attenuation therefrom, selects and employs an optimized alarm threshold from a plurality of stored alarm thresholds and activates the alarm element upon detecting a threshold levels in the ambient environment greater than the selected alarm threshold.

Abstract: A corner bolt locking system for a safe or vault is disclosed for use with cam and link locking mechanisms and a generally rectangular door panel frame, having a corner hole through its corner. A reinforcement channel is disposed at the corner and aligned with the corner hole. A corner bolt link arm is pivotably attached to a rotatable pin cam plate, and a corner bolt is pivotably attached to the corner bolt link arm and positioned through the reinforcement channel and the corner hole.

Abstract: A tracking unit for assisting in the recovery of stolen monies or other property includes a housing containing a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from overhead satellites, a cellular phone transceiver, a microprocessor, and a battery. Following a theft, the microprocessor activates the cellular phone transceiver to dial the telephone number of a central monitoring station. The microprocessor obtains location data from the GPS receiver and transmits the location data, along with identification information, to the central monitoring station. The tracking unit also includes a separate, conventional RF beacon transmitter for allowing authorities to home-in on the tracking unit within a large building or other structure, either after the GPS signals are lost, or after the location of the tracking unit is localized to a specific building or area.

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 security control system includes a remote access control system to receive wireless information from a central access control system. The remote access control system includes a remote access controller electrically coupled to a remote wireless communicator. The remote access controller receives information from the remote wireless communicator and uses the information to control locking and unlocking of the door. The remote wireless communicator also transmits wireless information to the central access control system and a switch is provided for selectively choosing between the receiving and transmitting the wireless information. The remote wireless communicator communicates via RF information, such as spread-spectrum RF. The remote access control system also includes a reader to read user data when presented to the reader.

Abstract: A low frequency transducer arrangement includes a substantially cylindrical structure surrounding a pole piece. The pole piece and the substantially cylindrical structure define a substantially cylindrical air gap therebetween. Two opposite ends of the air gap are both open and separated from each other in an axial direction. A first magnet is disposed in either the pole piece or the substantially cylindrical structure. A second magnet is separated in the axial direction from the first magnet by a middle magnetic gap. The second magnet is disposed in either the pole piece or the substantially cylindrical structure. The first and second magnets provide flux in a same direction in the middle magnetic gap. A top magnetic gap is disposed axially adjacent the first magnet and opposite the middle magnetic gap. A bottom magnetic gap is disposed axially adjacent the second magnet and opposite the middle magnetic gap. A voice coil is at least partially disposed in the air gap and operates in the middle magnetic gap.

Abstract: A low frequency transducer arrangement includes at least one substantially annular magnet. A voice coil is disposed within and concentric with the magnet. A pole is disposed within and concentric with the voice coil. An air gap is defined between the magnet and the pole. The pole includes a bottom half having a downwardly facing axial recess. A plurality of first air passages extend laterally from the axial recess and fluidly interconnect the recess and the air gap. A top half has an upwardly facing axial recess. A plurality of second air passages extend laterally from the upwardly facing axial recess and fluidly interconnect the upwardly facing recess and the air gap. The first air passages and/or the second air passages are non-radially oriented.

Abstract: A surveillance camera arrangement includes a first camera that performs panning movements about a pan axis, and that performs tilting movements within a plane of tilting motion. The plane of tilting motion is offset from, and substantially parallel to, the pan axis. A second camera is substantially aligned with the pan axis. The second camera has a wider field of view than the first camera.

Abstract: A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.

Abstract: A device that detachably mounts to the front side of a wheelchair frame, or similar vehicle, to manually lift or otherwise manipulate an occupied wheelchair up and/or down stairs. The manual wheelchair lift attachment comprises a wheelchair attachment portion and a handhold member for lifting that is connected by connecting arms. The wheelchair lift attachment apparatus may be adjustable to be configured with different sized wheelchairs. The invention also relates to a wheelchair having a permanent wheelchair frame that operably accepts a lifting mechanism apparatus. The invention also relates to a method of using the foregoing attachment and permanent configuration to transport an occupied wheelchair up and/or down stairs or otherwise maneuver the occupied wheelchair about other similar obstacles.

Abstract: A merchandise display stand for displaying an item of merchandise defines an angled exit path for a security cable attached to the merchandise. The display stand includes a base configured for attachment to a support surface and an upright extending from the base. The security cable extends from the base through an internal passageway defined by the upright to the merchandise. The upright has an arcuate or an angled shape relative to the support surface and the angled exit path forms an acute angle with a central axis between about fifteen and about seventy-five degrees. A sensor housing may be disposed between an upper end of the security cable and the merchandise and configured for attachment to the merchandise. A first displacement sensor may be provided for indicating whether the base is separated from the support surface and a second displacement sensor may be provided for indicating whether the merchandise is separated from the sensor housing.

Abstract: A linear gate drive assembly with a drive rail connectable to a gate panel. A linear drive portion having a toothed drive surface is coupled to a first drive surface of the drive rail and has teeth thereon with a first rolling tooth profile. A drive wheel is attached to one drive motor and engages the first drive surface to impart an axial drive force on the drive rail. Another drive wheel is attached to another drive motor and engages the second drive surface. The second drive wheel has teeth that mate with the first teeth and that define another rolling tooth profile corresponding to the first rolling tooth profile. Rotation of the second drive wheel imparts axial and normal forces via a rolling teeth interface for moving the drive rail and the gate panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to pre-processing images, audio and/or video to improve biometric analysis from such. In one implementation, a method is provided including: receiving a color digital image including a representation of a human subject; converting the color digital image into grayscale values; transforming at least one representation of the converted color image; analyzing the transformed, converted color image to identify artifacts; if artifacts are found, processing the color digital image to reduce the artifacts; and providing the processed digital image to a biometric system. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: A merchandise display security device for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise includes a mounting element adapted to be mounted on a support surface with the mounting element defining an opening over a hole formed through the support surface. A base having a cable collection tube is configured to be received within the opening of the mounting element and passed through the hole to a location beneath the support surface. The base is releasably attached to the mounting element so that the base can be detached from the mounting element and the collection tube passed through the hole to provide access to the collection tube above the support surface. The collection tube may be movably disposed on the base so that the cable collection tube can be positioned at any desired angular location beneath the support surface relative to the base.

Abstract: A tracking unit for assisting in the recovery of stolen monies or other property includes a housing containing a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from overhead satellites, a cellular phone transceiver, a microprocessor, and a battery. Following a theft, the microprocessor activates the cellular phone transceiver to dial the telephone number of a central monitoring station. The microprocessor obtains location data from the GPS receiver and transmits the location data, along with identification information, to the central monitoring station. The tracking unit also includes a separate, conventional RF beacon transmitter for allowing authorities to home-in on the tracking unit within a large building or other structure, either after the GPS signals are lost, or after the location of the tracking unit is localized to a specific building or area.

Abstract: A signaling device is disclosed that transmits a signal to a personal monitoring system. The signaling device may include an array of RLC components that determine the frequency of the signaling device. The frequency may be tuned by adding or removing RLC components from impacting the frequency. The signaling device may also include a wake-up mechanism for activating the signaling device for normal use and a signal indicating that a predetermined useful life is about to end.

Abstract: Particles conveying a code are incorporated into polymer matrix to form a core document substrate. These particles may be colored to create a distinctive look of the document that makes it unique for a particular document issuer and enables visual authentication. Addition of a covert attribute to the particle, such as a UV pigment or hidden layer of material, allows a covert, forensic characteristic and it also allows a mathematical description to be calculated describing the random distribution of a specific area on a document and then captured on it (e.g., in the bar code or magnetic stripe or digital watermark on an ID document).

Abstract: The apparatus and method implements, manages, and tracks on-line digital transactions via an escrow, including opening, servicing, real-time or near-real time status of the broker, title company, lender, vendor, buyer and seller, and closing of an escrow via a medium such as the internet. Multiple access methods are employed. The present invention provides computerization and internet type process implementation for escrow processes including, but not limited to, digital transaction coordination, digital status coordinators, seamless escrow transactions, on-line digital signatures, video signature authentication, digital certificate authentication, signature authentication, satellite and other wireless transmission of escrow transactions, voice digital instruction, the merging of voice with digital data transactions, set-top/WebTV digital escrow transmission, global digital escrow networking, and the like.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for efficient resource sharing are presented. The apparatus includes a central unit having a plurality of surfaces on the outside, the central unit holding a resource. Compartments are coupled to the central unit, each of the compartments being placed adjacent to one of the surfaces of the central unit. Each compartment has a platform to support an object, and has a sensor that reads an output signal indicating that the object in the compartment has finished accessing the resource from the central unit. A computation unit receives and processes the output signal from each of the compartments. The sensor in the apparatus may be located in the central unit instead of in the compartments.