Abstract: An object awareness determination system and method of determining awareness of a driver of a vehicle to an object is provided. The system includes an object monitor including an object detection sensor for sensing an object in a field of view and determining a position of the object. The system also includes an eye gaze monitor including an imaging camera oriented to capture images of the vehicle driver including an eye of the driver. The gaze monitor determines an eye gaze vector. The system further has a controller for determining driver awareness of the object based on the detected object position and the eye gaze vector.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, monitoring, and identifying objects within an area having at least one surveillance system and one position locating system for independently detecting and monitoring objects located within an area. The surveillance system information and the position locating system information is provided to the system, and the system compares the information to determine if they are the same object and if the object is authorized to be in the area. The system also notifies the system operator if the object is not authorized to be in the area or if the object is not being detected by all the surveillance and position locating systems.

Abstract: A method of tuning the output of a sensor array for a vehicle seat occupancy sensing system that is used with a neural net for occupancy classification. The method includes the step of pressing a series of seat cushion body pressure distribution forms in a series of predetermined seating positions into a particular vehicle seat to produce a series of representative sensor response patterns from the sensor array. The method also includes the steps of comparing each sensor response pattern through the neural net and determining if any of the determined sensor patterns are indistinguishable, and then determining which sensors were deflected and the amount of deflection in those sensors for the indistinguishable sensor response patterns. The method steps further include adjusting the biasing of said sensors to cause said indistinguishable patterns to diverge and be distinguishable by the neural net and repeating the above steps until the senor response patterns are distinguishable from one another.

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: The fluid life monitoring system of the present invention includes a pressure monitor coupled to an engine. The pressure monitor is configured to detect a change in the amount of time it takes the engine's lubricating fluid to reach a pre-determined fluid pressure and, based on a detected change, reset the fluid life monitoring system.

Abstract: The invention is a sensing and indicating device for determining the presence of a second vehicle near to a first vehicle and indicating the presence of the second vehicle. A sensor is positioned and electrically connected between the light socket and the light bulb contained within a light assembly and protected by a lens. The sensor transmits to an indicator adjacent the operator of the first vehicle, by a visual indication in the operator's sight or by an audio indicator. The sensor can be replaced, transferred to another vehicle or retrofitted to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle notification system includes a control panel removably positionable inside a vehicle and including a transceiving mechanism for identifying imminent environmental conditions. The system further includes a plurality of transceivers disposed at predetermined locations exterior of a vehicle housing the control panel. The plurality of transceivers selectively send a plurality of input signals to the transceiving mechanism and for identifying an imminent environmental condition, respectively. The transceiving mechanism includes a display panel housed by the control panel for providing visual information regarding an imminent environmental condition. The transceiving mechanism may further include an input mechanism connected to the control panel for receiving driver-identification information so that one of the plurality of transceivers can identify a driver of a vehicle.

Abstract: A wrench with tension meters comprises a handle; two ends of the handles installed clamping portions for receiving respective screwing elements; a center of the handle of the conductor having a first groove; two ends of the first groove near clamping portions being formed with respective second grooves; two connection groove being installed between the first groove and the second grooves, respectively; each connection groove serving for communicating the first groove and a respective one of the two second grooves; an integrated device installed in the first groove; and two tension meters installed in the two second grooves, respectively. The conductors are metals or metal wires.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a virtual rumble strip that uses a 3-dimensional audio alert (3-DAA) signal to warn a user operating a vehicle that the vehicle has deviated from a predetermined path. The virtual rumble strip may include a sensor that detects location data for the vehicle, and an alerting mechanism that receives the location data from the sensor. The alerting mechanism may include an audio processing unit that uses the location data and a Head-Related Transfer Function to create the 3-DAA signal. A speaker may then play the 3-DAA signal, which the user may interpret as originating from the direction of the deviation. The user may then respond to the 3-DAA signal by correcting the motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mixed air amount alarm device is provided which determines the amount of air present in a hydraulic circuit between a hydraulic pressure source and an instrument driven by hydraulic pressure, and produces an alarm if the air amount is excessive, a situation is prevented in which an alarm is produced or not produced according to change of the air amount (volume) resulting from temperature change, and it is possible to stop an alarm if potential danger disappears and a safe state is recovered due to spontaneous release of air out of the hydraulic circuit. If the air amount is determined excessive, this is stored in a nonvolatile memory, and even if air amount excessiveness determination is not made at the next activation of the hydraulic device, the content of the nonvolatile memory is checked and an alarm is produced if air amount excessiveness determination has not been made before.

Abstract: A method for monitoring compliance with recommended hand-washing practices is disclosed. The method involves detecting the occurrence of an event that is specified in a hand-washing rule. The method also involves determining whether a person who is involved in the event complies with the hand-washing rule. If the person does not comply with the hand-washing rule, the method may involve triggering a reminder alarm. The method may also involve determining whether the person washes his or her hands within a period of time subsequent to the reminder alarm. Compliance data that is related to compliance with the hand-washing rule may be updated.

Abstract: In an aircraft cabin floor adjacent to the cockpit, a trap door opens downwardly into a security cell, to trap a terrorist trying to enter the cockpit. Two walls with lockable airtight doors bound a safety buffer cabin between the cockpit and the passenger cabin. Sensors like seat occupancy sensors, motion detectors, video cameras and microphones provide data regarding the location, movement and activities of passengers to a system that evaluates the data to recognize unusual data situations indicating one or more escalation levels of suspicious or aggressive actions by passengers. Alarm signals and terrorist countermeasure devices such as fogging or tranquilizer gas generators, noise generators, high intensity blinding/glaring lights, a cabin lighting master shut-off, window darkening devices, and tranquilizer dart guns are actuated automatically by the evaluation system, or manually by a cockpit input device or a portable signaling device carried by a flight attendant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing barrier position in a barrier movement system are disclosed. Electrical apparatus is connected to the barrier and generates a barrier position signal representative of barrier positions which may be used by a controller to detect barrier position. The electrical apparatus can be manually adjusted to reflect a first barrier position such as a closed position. Other barrier positions can be sensed by comparing the barrier position signal to other manually adjustable position signals.

Abstract: This invention provides an alarm system and method for adjusting the wake-up signals. The system includes a means for tracking the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance after the activation of an alarm clock, and a means for determining whether the person is motionless for a predetermined time period. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the person is still sleeping, the wake-up signals are gradually increased. At the same time, the electrical power supplied to a plurality of electronic devices may be increased to assist the person to wake up.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for alerting authorities during a car theft. A personal identification number, either a normal code or a duress code, is received into an vehicle security system. If the duress code has been entered, then the security system is disarmed, wherein the vehicle may be entered and driven away without any indication of an alarm. However, the duress code triggers a process by which authorities are notified and the location of the vehicle may be provided. The vehicle is disabled upon a certain event or condition, such as a pre-determined amount of time passing or a pre-determined distance driven. The method may also require satisfying a second event or condition before disabling the vehicle, such as the vehicle traveling at a low speed, in order to avoid causing an unsafe condition. The duress code preferably has an identical number of alphanumeric characters as a normal personal identification number entered to disarm the security system.

Abstract: A method senses the readiness of a driver of a motor vehicle to brake. The position of the feet of the driver are sensed by a sensor arrangement at the foot well of the motor vehicle in order to determine the position of the right-hand foot and the left-hand foot of the driver and/or the leg posture of the driver. In order to sense the feet and/or leg posture of the driver, a pressure-sensitive film with a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells may be arranged in the foot well of the motor vehicle. An expected time which the driver takes to activate the brake in a hazardous situation can be derived from the position of the feet at a particular time.

Abstract: An alarm system for a casting mold is provided, which includes an alarm electrically connected to the casting mold; and at least one sensing unit electrically connected to the alarm, and spaced apart by a predetermined gap from a cast to be drawn from the casting mold. During a drawing process, if the cast is formed with failure in appearance such as deformation, burr edges or uneven thickness, the cast drawn out of the casting mold would come into contact with the sensing unit and thereby induce the alarm to generate an alarm signal to notify an operator who may immediately solve any operational problems.

Abstract: Vehicle safety flag assemblies include a mounting member configured for mounting to a vehicle. A flag is movably coupled to the mounting member. The flag is movable between a first position and a second position. An ignition override switch is connected to the mounting member and/or the flag. The ignition override switch is open when the flag is in the first position to override operation of the vehicle ignition and closed when the flag is in the second position to allow operation of the vehicle. Methods of using the vehicle safety flag assemblies to safely operate a vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: A load cell mounting assembly for a bed. The bed includes a base unit. Two pairs of lift arms are pivotally attached to the base unit. Extending between each pair of lift arms is a torque bar. A frame is secured to the torque bars by a plurality of torque bar mounting brackets. Coupled to each torque bar are a number of load cells. The load cells are electrically connected to a control unit that is configured to receive signals from the load cells and to determine patient information from the load cell signals. When the bed is in its lowest position, the load cells engage the floor and the bed is supported only by the load cells.

Abstract: A portable beacon (8) for deterring damaging access to a deactivatable hazard comprises means for deactivating the hazard in the event of actual or impending damaging access to the hazard, deterrence means (12) and sensors (13, 23, 24) for sensing when damaging access is impending or actually occurring.