Abstract: In a method of transmitting multiple serial signals, parallel signals are converted into serial signals by a plural number of parallel-to-serial converters contained in a transmitter, serial signals are converted into parallel signals by a plural number of serial-to-parallel converters contained in a receiver, and multiple serial signals are transmitted between the transmitter and the receiver through a channel. In the method, for data transmission, said plural number of parallel-to-serial converters and said plural number of serial-to-parallel converters are connected in series, and the format of the serial signals on the channel, the format for the parallel-to-serial converters located preceding to the channel, and the format for the serial-to-parallel converters located succeeding to the channel are the same formats. In this case, these formats may be of the start-stop synchronization type.

Abstract: An RF remote control system for operating a ceiling fan and its light is disclosed. The remote control system comprises a receiver and two remote controllers, each having different operating characteristics. The remote controllers use radio frequency (RF) transmission to send control signals to the receiver. The receiver utilizes a microprocessor to process the control signals from the remote controllers and to operate the ceiling fan and its light. The receiver also includes a power interruption feature, which allows the operation of the ceiling fan light without the use of the remote controllers.

Abstract: On method of sensing a ventilation failure measures a ventilation cycle and if the pressure is not maintained throughout the whole of an inspiration period above the setting for the low datum point 10 an alarm is signaled. A normal ventilation cycle is shown in FIG. 1(a) with the pressure over the ventilation cycle indicated by curve 14, low pressure datum 10 and the high pressure datum 12. The inspiration period 16 occurs for a given length of the cycle 14. When the tube feeding air to the patient is disconnected (whether wholly or partially) the ventilation cycle is as shown in FIG. 1(b). Inspiration peak 18 is now much lower and pressure drops rapidly, once the given volume has been delivered, from peak 18 to below set low pressure datum 10 (before termination of period 16). The peak 18 and the slope of the curve as indicated at 20 will vary depending upon the circumstances experienced. Another method measures the period between excursions of the pressure above a given level above datum 10.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fuel vapors in a turbojet engine oil tank is disclosed which incorporates a device in the oil tank which senses the presence of fuel vapors in the oil tank. The device has a housing defining an inner chamber in which a piston is slidably located. An actuating cartridge is also located in the chamber between an end wall of the housing and the piston. The cartridge comprises a material which expands in volume when subjected to heat and one which produces an exothermic reaction in the presence of fuel vapors. The housing defines one or more orifices to enable the atmosphere within the tank to communicate with the actuating cartridge.

Abstract: A hand mounted keyboard, having a pair of opposed keypads for receiving the fingers of the mounting hand between, the opposed keypads operable by opposed movements of those fingers. The keyboard also has a thumb operated keypad mounted on the exterior of the keyboard. The characters and functions are grouped into generally task related modes or lanes. The lanes are divided into blocks, each block having two rows of data, each of the rows corresponding to one of the opposed keypads. The lanes are chosen by activating a first key with the thumb, and a second key with the finger. The thumb operated key is activated to chose a relationship for mapping between blocks of data in each lane and the finger operated keys. The mapping relationships assign characters and functions by row and column to opposed keypads and fingers respectively.