Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for sensing an electromagnetic field. A Global Positioning System (GPS) is disposed in a housing, and the GPS acquires global positioning system information describing a location of the apparatus. An electromagnetic sensor is also disposed in the housing and senses the electromagnetic field. An alarm couples to the electromagnetic sensor, the alarm produces an indication of at least one of i) the sensed electromagnetic field and ii) the location of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention can enable the position (i.e., location and/or orientation) of one or more untethered objects to be tracked. One or more transmitters, each of which has a fixed and known positional relationship to a corresponding object, each emit a sequence of position tracking signals. Each transmitter can emit a unique, identifiable position tracking signal so that the transmitter (and the object to which the transmitter is coupled) from which a signal was emitted can be identified, thereby enabling the position of multiple objects to be tracked. Multiple receivers receive the position tracking signals emitted by each transmitter. The receivers record the times at which signals are received. These recorded times can be communicated to a controller, which can determine from the recorded times the location of each object at a time that a position tracking signal was emitted from the corresponding transmitter.

Abstract: A vehicle door stop safety system for preventing closing of a door of a vehicle when an object moves between the open door and the body of the vehicle. The vehicle door stop safety system includes a field producing assembly for producing a field adjacent to the latch end of the door. The field producing assembly is mountable on the latch end of the door, and the field producing assembly is adapted for operatively connecting to the switch of the vehicle such that the field producing assembly produces the field when the switch is actuated by opening of the door. A sensing assembly produces a block signal when an interruption of the field is sensed. The sensing assembly is mountable on the latch end of the door of the vehicle. A blocking assembly is provided for blocking closure of the door when the sensing assembly detects an interruption of the field produced by the field producing assembly. The blocking assembly is mountable on the body of the vehicle adjacent to the door opening.

Abstract: A sensor system is for detecting forces which, particularly in the case of a motor vehicle, lead to a deformation of components, e.g. body parts as the result of an accident. The sensor system includes a number of contact elements which are arranged on the component staggered one behind the other in a possible deformation direction, compressible insulation layers being disposed between the contact elements. The contact elements are electroconductively connected to an electronic evaluation circuit by which a contacting and/or de-contacting of adjacent contact elements, caused by a deformation, is able to be detected and converted into control and or regulating signals.

Abstract: A pet affection indicator device presents information regarding the quantity of affection a pet owner is giving to the pet. The device includes a sensing assembly with a sensor element worn by a pet, and produces signals based on sensing of a human's touching of the pet near the sensor element. A processor receives the signals from the sensing element and calculates data associated with at least one of an amount, frequency and duration of the sensed touching and elapsed time since the last of the sensed touching. A memory is in electrical communication with the processor for storing the data. The device also includes an indicator that communicates to a human an indication associated with the data based on the touches. With this device, the pet owner, by paying attention to the indicator, will know if and when the pet is due for more affection.

Abstract: In an indicating instrument, especially in a motor vehicle, having a cover glass (4) that appears dark and, under incident light, prevents any view of a dial (3) arranged at a distance behind it, and having at least one light source (8) arranged behind the dial (3) to transilluminate said dial (3) and therefore render the dial (3) visible through the cover glass (4). In order to prevent the dial (3) becoming visible when there is only incident light, the transmission of the dial (3) is matched to the transmission of the cover glass (4). To this end, in particular, the dial (3) is provided with a low transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system comprises encoder-transmitters in transmitting vehicles and corresponding receiver-decoder-alert subsystems in receiving vehicles. Transmitted signals carry warning information for presentation to drivers of receiving vehicles, preferably including closing velocity and encoded identification of the transmitting vehicles. Warning information may also include estimates of the speed of the transmitting vehicle and of the apparent bearing of the transmitting vehicle relative to each respective receiving vehicle. Warning information is presented via at least two alert modalities. At least one alert modality is presented intermittently, and at least one alert modality is modified when closing velocity is negative. Drivers of receiving vehicles can use this warning information to inform their judgments on safely maneuvering their vehicles to provide needed right-of-way to approaching transmitting vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus using existing traffic preemption technologies to include automatic vehicle location, remote traffic preemption, and central decision support system for transit, congestion and emergency vehicle control. The apparatus includes emitters mounted on emergency or transit vehicles to activate and preempt existing intersection control systems, automatic vehicle location protocol, real time mapping of intersections within the system, and interconnecting communications means for transferring the system output data to the respective control or data receiving center. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a wireless modem with embedded software protocol connected to the preemption card installed at a typical traffic intersection controller cabinet. As vehicles approach the intersection, the wireless modem reports the location and preemption information to the control center.

Abstract: The invention provides a home medical management system comprising a portable unit (1) to be worn on the body of the user for measuring a physiological quantity, and a home unit (4) installed at a home of the user and adapted to wirelessly communicate with the portable unit (1) for judging the physical condition of the user according to the physiological quantity measured by the portable unit (1) and notifying an emergency center (32) of occurrence of an emergency in the event of the emergency occurring. The home unit (2) transmits an unfastening command to an electronic lock (41) fastening the front door of the user's home in the event of an emergency occurring, whereby the lock (41) is unfastened, permitting ambulance attendants to enter the room where the user is present.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a patient, including a plurality of pressure detecting devices which are adapted to be placed on a bed such that the pressure detecting devices are arranged in a widthwise direction of the bed, and which detect respective pressures and produce respective pressure signals representing the detected pressures, and a position detecting device for detecting, based on the pressure signals supplied from the pressure detecting devices, a position, in the widthwise direction of the bed, where the patient is present.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and containing chemical or biological contaminants. The invention includes one or more optical contaminant detectors, capable of detecting chemical and biological agents. A containment assembly is installed in the duct work of a building, just downstream from the main intake. Air flows linearly through the containment assembly. The air first flows through a first damper, then through the contamination sensor or sensors, and then through a second damper. If a sensor senses a contaminant, a controller shuts off the HVAC system, while simultaneously closing the first and second dampers. The containment assembly is thereby hermetically sealed—trapping any contaminants inside. The sensors and second damper are spaced sufficiently far apart so that no contaminant will flow through the second damper before its closure. The controller can also be configured to alert authorized personnel as to the potential contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of clock synchronization of a powerline modem network for a plurality of devices are provided. A plurality of devices are provided having a powerline modem and a clock (100). The powerline modem permits communication between the plurality of devices over a powerline network. A synchronization message is provided over the powerline network (102). The synchronization message includes an instruction for each of the plurality of devices to update their clock in accordance with a clock time provided in the synchronization message (104). A synchronization device may be provided to update device clocks on a powerline network.

Abstract: A passenger detecting system includes an antenna electrode, a signal generating circuit, a detecting circuit, and a control circuit. The antenna electrode is provided in a seat to be occupied by a passenger. The signal generating circuit generates and supplies a supply signal to the antenna electrode through a resistor such that an electric field is generated around the antenna electrode. The detecting circuit includes the resistor, and detects a direct current data signal from a line voltage associated with a voltage drop across the resistor, wherein the line voltage changes depending upon an object on the seat. The control circuit determines from the detected direct current data signal, whether or not a passenger is present in the seat and whether the passenger is an adult or a child.

Abstract: A novel vehicle signaling converter is disclosed. In one embodiment, inverted logic gates are used to provide low-true signals to a negative-logic power switch, which powers appropriate trailer lighting. In other embodiments, divergent current paths are provided for multiple signals to pass from a vehicle's lighting system to a trailer's lighting system, with each current path being independently current-limited. In still other embodiments, circuitry is placed within each of multiple lighting control signal paths that handles electrostatic discharge within a vehicle-trailer lighting signal converter.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, includes: a processing chamber in which a lens processing tool is disposed, the processing chamber having a drainage port; a water supply unit which supplies water for lens processing to an interior of the processing chamber; a drainpipe connected to the drainage port; a sensor which detects an amount of the water within the processing chamber or the drainpipe; and a controller which controls the water supply unit based on a result of detection by the sensor.

Abstract: A motorcycle jacket which has turn signal lights attached to the back of the jacket in the upper left and right shoulder areas. The lights are electrically connected to the motorcycle electrical system, so that when the motorcycle turn signals are actuated, the jacket turn signals will flash in synchronism with them.

Abstract: An emergency lighting monitoring and control system controls and monitors the emergency lights in a building. A central control unit automatically schedules self tests for each of the emergency lights and stores the results of the tests in memory. The self tests include tests of the backup power source and the lamp. Some failures are predicted prior to actual failure. Failures are diagnosed and repairs are suggested. Light output is automatically monitored and adjusted. The central control unit generates a report of the self tests and notifies an operator of failures. An operator views test reports, controls the emergency lights, and schedules tests. The system automatically detects newly installed emergency lighting units.

Abstract: An air bag deployment system includes circuitry for preventing the accidental deployment of the air bag during exposure of the system to an excessive external magnetic field. In a first exemplary embodiment of the system, the system includes an accelerometer comprised of first and second Hall effect magnetic devices which are associated with the impact detection circuitry of the deployment system. These are the sensors which would normally trigger deployment of the air bag system upon detection of an impact or acceleration of sufficient magnitude. A sensed magnetic field is used in determining the presence of an acceleration which is of sufficient magnitude to require deployment of the air bag in order to prevent injury to the occupants of a vehicle. The advanced system of the present invention further includes circuitry which senses large external magnetic fields.

Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle includes an analog indication of the current measured value and has a variable indication of a reference value. An automatic setting device indicates the reference value based on variable data that are significant for the indicated measured variable. The entire indicating instrument is rotated by the setting device so that the pointer is aligned horizontally when the current measured value agrees with the reference value.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the movement of an individual in and around buildings, rooms and like areas. A transponder is arranged for coaction with an active antenna which is connected to a surveillance center either directly or indirectly, and the individual carries on his/her person either a transponder or an antenna, or one or more antennas or a plurality of transponders are placed in or around the building under surveillance.