Abstract: The data transmission device 1a of the present invention includes a driver 10 for sending data, a receiver 20 for receiving the data sent from the driver 10, a transmission line path 30 for connecting between the driver 10 and the receiver 20, and a variable impedance element 40 having a controllably variable impedance. The variable impedance element 40 is connected to the transmission line path 30. The data transmission line device 1a can reduce power consumption and occurrence of skew.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprising a plurality of magnetic sensing elements and a means for generating an image signal from the plurality of the signals generated thereby is used i) to sense a magnetic field proximate to a body portion of a vehicle for adjusting a magnetic circuit thereof, ii) to sense an occupant in a seat of a vehicle, or iii) to sense from within a body portion of a vehicle magnetic-field-influencing objects proximate thereto. In another aspect, the magnetic field sensor further comprises a plurality of magnetic focusing elements proximate to the magnetic sensing elements for improving the clarity of the magnetic image.

Abstract: A perimeter monitoring system is arranged to detect passage across a perimeter of an area. The system primarily includes an emitter, a retroreflector, a detector and an alarm. The emitter provides a modulated visible laser beam. The retroreflector is arranged to direct the beam along a segment of the perimeter and return the beam along the segment. The detector includes a device that blocks reception of light outside an angle of less than 5 degrees. One or more local or remote alarms are activated in response to the signal. For example, a remote alarm is located on the inside of a residence window where it is activated by another visible laser beam. Alignment of the peripheral monitoring system is less costly and false alarms are less likely than with known systems.

Abstract: The processional travel control apparatus of the present invention allows processional travel with a leading vehicle driven by a driver and at least one succeeding vehicle automatically following the leading vehicle. Each of the vehicles comprises: a communicator for communicating with other vehicles; a condition detector for detecting the condition of an object vehicle; an abnormality determining device for determining the occurrence of an abnormality in the object vehicle, based on condition information detected by the condition detector; an abnormality signal transmitter for transmitting an abnormality signal, indicating that the abnormality has occurred in the object vehicle, via the communicator; and an abnormality stop device for stopping the processional travel of at least a part of the vehicles, which includes the vehicle which has transmitted the abnormality signal, when the abnormality signal has been transmitted by one of the vehicles.

Abstract: An escape light instrument using as its light source a fluorescent lamp, mainly derives its luminescence from luminophors the peak ranges of whose luminescent wavelength are from 530 to 580 nm and from 600 to 650 nm, said luminophors having 30 nm or less of half band width, wherein a luminous flux derived from a luminophor the peak range of whose luminescent wavelength is from 420 to 470 nm accounts for 4 to 10% of a total luminous flux in said main luminescent wavelength, and which permits categorical discrimination of at least green and white transmitted colors used on the sign face, and has a luminous color of 5 or more in Duv.

Abstract: According to one form of the invention, and with reference to FIG. 1, there is provided a positioning means. The positioning means comprising a global positioning system (GPS) 1 and a switch means 2. The GPS 1 and the switch means 2 are carried by a search and rescue dog 4 by way of a harness or jacket 3. The switch means incorporates a pull mechanism or a sound sensitive mechanism which activates the switch mechanism 2 when the dog 4 pulls the pull mechanism or barks. This causes activation of the GPS 1 to record and/or transmit information to identify the position of the positioning means, and thus a person, animal, substance, or article found by the dog.

Abstract: A two stage air filter restriction indicating device communicates with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an engine. The amount of vacuum required by the engine to supply air is directly indicative of the amount of blockage in the air filtering system. The gauge or air filter restriction indicating device monitors this vacuum level and provides signals at an output indicating whether a predetermined vacuum level has been achieved. In one configuration, the gauge locks into this configuration and maintains its output, even when the engine is shut off. Alternatively, the gauge of the present invention automatically resets, thus not requiring a manual reset of the gauge.

Abstract: A sensor (50) for determining the magnitude and intensity of solar radiation. The apparatus includes a diffuser (2) which provides radiation through channels (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) within an elongated channeled member (5) onto photodiodes (54a, 54b, 54c, 54d). Each photodiode (54a, 54b, 54c, 54d) is optically isolated from other photodiodes. The diffuser (2) is arranged and constructed so as to receive radiation within 360 degrees of the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A monitor attaches to a machine or proximate a machine to determine the health and operating status of the machine. The monitor is preferably self-contained, having its own internal power source, electronics, and sensor suite. One or more sensors are provided to sense machine operating characteristics such as temperature, flux, and vibration. Sensor outputs are processed and analyzed by monitor electronics to determine various operating parameters, including machine speed and load, and to determine when an anomalous machine operating condition is present. Monitor electronics are operable to transform time domain data generated by the sensors to frequency domain data for storage and/or analysis. A communications port enables a peripheral device, such as a notebook computer or portable data collector, to communicate with the monitor and download stored data.

Abstract: An attendance monitoring apparatus is provided for an appliance, such as an electrical appliance, and includes a housing and a motion sensor assembly contained in the housing. A timer assembly is electrically connected to the motion sensor assembly, and an alarm assembly is electrically connected to the timer assembly. The timer assembly is adjustable for selecting a range of predetermined time intervals. Optionally, a current controller is electrically connected to the timer assembly. The current controller controls electric power to the appliance, such as an electric stove. The attendance monitoring apparatus of the invention signals a person with an audible alarm when the person has not attended to the electric stove for a predetermined period of time. Optionally, the attendance monitoring apparatus can turn off electrical power to the stove under these conditions.

Abstract: A perimeter monitoring system is arranged to detect passage across a perimeter of an area. The system primarily includes an emitter, a retroreflector, a detector and an alarm. The emitter provides a modulated visible laser beam. The retroreflector is arranged to direct the beam along a segment of the perimeter and return the beam along the segment. The detector includes a device that blocks reception of light outside an angle of less than 5 degrees. One or more local or remote alarms are activated in response to the signal. For example, a remote alarm is located on the inside of a residence window where it is activated by another visible laser beam. Alignment of the peripheral monitoring system is less costly and false alarms are less likely than with known systems.

Abstract: A control mat monitoring and warning apparatus and method in which the resistance of a control mat is monitored continuously while the mat remains in use. Deviations of the pattern of control mat resistance values in use from a nominal range of acceptable values is used to detect and report deterioration of the electrical performance characteristics of the control mat so that the mat can be removed from service and replaced in a timely manner. The disclosed invention also generates proper presence detection signals by compensating for the deteriorating electrical performance characteristics of the control mat, thereby extending the useful functional life of the control mat beyond the point at which the mat could otherwise function properly.

Abstract: A device comprises a vibration generator having a magnetic circuit composed of a permanent magnet and a coil, and a diaphragm drivable by the magnetic circuit and secured to a fixed member so as to mechanically resonate at a frequency of f1, a signal generating circuit for producing a signal having the frequency of f1, a filter for blocking the frequency of f1, and selection means. The selection means operates to give notice to the user by applying the signal containing the frequency of f1 and generated by the signal generating circuit to the coil, or to deliver incoming speech to the user by applying a voice signal to the coil via the filter.

Abstract: Absorbent pads with theft alarm activator elements concealed from view within each individual pad. These pads are designed for inclusion in a tray with a meat, fish or poultry product. The alarm activator element in each pad may be a strip or wire of magnetic material of suitable magnetic retentivity. In an alternative arrangement, a resonator may be used in conjunction with a magnetic strip which controls its resonant frequency. In the case of meat or poultry product pads, the element is cored into the pad between pluralities of laminated layers of tissue, cellulose, airlaid or composite. The element may be positioned between adjacent pairs of laminated tissues in a composite pad.

Abstract: A low-cost emergency locator beacon (ELB) device that transmits an identifying serial number in addition to the beacon signal. This transmission includes an audio modulated Manchester encoded digital version of the serial number, and an analog, voice synthesized version of the serial number. In one embodiment, the device incorporates a receiver that enables the user of the device to enter into two-way, direct voice communication with a rescuer. The device also includes an automatic receive function which facilitates operation of the device by users not aware or not able to operate the device. In another embodiment, the ELB device includes an inhibit function which prevents non-emergency, ELB device to ELB device communication.

Abstract: An RFID transponder is embedded in a glass surface, such as a vehicle windshield, to provide for the storage and retrieval of vehicle related data. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID device comprises a flexible circuit substrate with an antenna formed thereon and a transponder circuit disposed on the substrate and coupled to the antenna. In a multi-layer glass panel, the RFID device is disposed between adjacent ones of the glass layers and becomes embedded therein upon lamination of the glass layers together. Alternatively, the RFID device may be formed using one of the glass layers as a substrate, thereby avoiding the need for a distinct substrate layer. Where a glass panel has a transparent conductive layer for thermal insulation, the transparent conductive layer may be used to form a conductive portion of the RFID device. In a single layer glass panel, the RFID device is embedded into the glass while the glass is in a molten or plastic state.

Abstract: A light emitting diode 1 and a condenser lens 2 are arranged in an optical axis direction. In the light emitting diode 1, a cover 4 having a tip end lens 5 is attached to one side of a main unit base 9, a light emitting chip 6 is supported by a bonding wire 8 drawn out from the body base 9 inside the cover 4, and a reflector 7 is placed behind the light emitting chip 6. With respect to a first light source of the light emitting chip 6, the position where light which is forward reflected by the reflector 7 impinges on the tip end lens 5 is set as a virtual second light source 10, and the focal point of the condenser lens 2 is set at the position of or in the vicinity of the position of the second light source 10.

Abstract: An air filter restriction indicating device communicating with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an internal combustion engine. The indicating device senses a decrease in the supply of air drawn through the air filter by the engine based upon changes in the amount of vacuum in the negative side of the air supply, the amount of restriction being indicated by the movement of an indicating device. Improved means included in the indicating device senses the movement of the indicating device and progressively locks the indicating device into various indicating positions as the vacuum increases due to an increased restriction of the filter, so that the maximum reading of restriction achieved during engine operation remains visible to the operator or maintenance personnel even after the engine is turned off.

Abstract: A molded transparent thermoplastic housing has a programmable transmitting circuit for transmitting seal identifying serial number, seal location, container identification and other data to a local receiver. A door in the housing permits access to the circuit for programming the seal indicia and related data for transmission. A contact arrangement forms a switch upon insertion of a locking bolt into a locking mechanism in the housing and applies battery power through the bolt to activate the data generating circuit. A conductor along the bolt shank is connected to the circuit provides a tamper evident signal to the circuit when the bolt is severed. The circuit senses the removal of the bolt or severed bolt condition for generating a “tamper” signal which is transmitted to a local receiver/reader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting airborne particles in an electronic enclosure. The electronic enclosure may be used to house one or more electronic devices or components of an electronic system, such as a computer or data storage system. A particle detection system is provided to monitor the air within the enclosure and to generate an alarm signal in response to detection of a threshold level of airborne particles within the enclosure that is indicative of an operational anomaly associated with at least one of the electronic devices or components. In response to the alarm signal, the electronic devices housed within the enclosure may be automatically shut down to reduce potential damage to at least the devices housed within the enclosure. The detection system is particularly suited for detecting the presence of smoke within an electronic enclosure, such as may be generated during a combustion event by overheated or electrically shorted electronic components.