Abstract: A self-erecting control device is provided with a base member and a bracket assembly attached to the base member for receiving a movable sign support member. The movable sign support member is vertically movable and rotatable with the bracket. That is, in one position the sign support member is stationary in an upright position and in a second position, the movable sign support member is rotatable into a storage position. A flexing device, such as a spring, is mounted to the movable sign support member and a sign wherein upon impact the sign device yields in response to the impact and the coil spring returns or self-erects the sign to its original upright position.

Abstract: There is provided an alarm system for detecting and warning of the presence of alarm and trouble conditions in a plurality of zones. The system comprises a loop controller having supply lines extending to the plurality of zones and a module connected to the supply lines within each zones. If an alarm condition occurs in a particular zone, the module initiates communication of the alarm condition to the loop controller. The system also includes means for variably controlling a specific personality of the module, such as a microcontroller, so that the module functions selectively in a variety of specific ways. The means for variably controlling includes means for selectively storing configuration data, such as an EEPROM, in the module to define the specific personality.

Abstract: A digital keypad for a controller of an electrical device includes keys which are circularly arranged in a clock face pattern. The keys are marked with numeric indicia in sequential numeric order from 1 to 12, each switch being radially spaced 30-degrees apart. Some of the numbered keys may be replaced with other symbols as desired. Tactile key-finding ridges emanate from the center of the circular key pattern, extending in the direction of each key. The keypad may be releaseably affixed to a trigger grip stand, comprising a planar base and a vertical handle having a trigger switch which when depressed transmits preselected signals to the electrical device.

Abstract: Disclosure is made in this application of a pedestal housing and a pedestal control housing segment mounted at the top of the pedestal housing and a control panel board mounted in the control housing segment and power lines entering the pedestal housing below the ground level and into the pedestal housing and lead connectors extending from sump pump and sump pump float switch and tank alert float switch extending from sump tank through a connector duct or pipe into the pedestal housing and extending to the control panel board in the housing segment and a door mounted on the control housing segment to seal the control housing segment. The lead connectors of the power lines and the float switches extend through apertures in the bottom of the control housing segment and are held in position by grommets to seal the openings around the lead connections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting signals transmitted via a power line to a node which have a source address portion equal to the predetermined address of an electrical metering device, but which were not transmitted by the metering device. Each electrical metering device of a power line communications system has a predetermined address and may monitor the source address portions of signals transmitted via the power lines. The electrical metering device thus detects or flags a power line signal if the source address portion of the transmitted signal matches the predetermined address of the electrical metering device. The electrical metering device may also count the signals having source address portions which match the predetermined address of the electrical metering device.

Abstract: A system for detecting impairment of operating ability of transportation vehicle operators due to sleepiness, intoxication or other causes, and for sounding an alarm when operator impairment is found. The invention employs an array of at least three dual electrode capacitive coupling sensors, placed in the headliner above the operator's seat, which sense operator head position and motion. Outputs from the sensors, after suitable processing and amplification, are analyzed by a microprocessor to determine the operator's head position and motion, through triangulation analysis of distances from the operator's head to each sensor. The microprocessor records, tracks and compares the operator head motion data to profiles of normal head motion and impaired head motion, to detect any head motion indicative of operator impairment.

Abstract: A tag associated with a device and that identifies the device with respect to other devices is connected to a communication link with the same connector used to connect the device to a source of power. The device connector includes an element for receiving electrical power and a data contact connected to the tag. An electrical power connector (which serves as the power source) has an element for engaging the element of the device connector and applying electrical power thereto, and another data contact connected to the communication link. When the device connector is engaged with the electrical power source connector, the data contacts engage one another and establish a data path between the communication link and the tag. The connection to the communication link allows information to be exchanged between the communication link and the tag.

Abstract: In a battery-powered sensor such as a smoke detector, a passive report of unacceptable battery condition is first given while an active report of such condition is inhibited. Then, after the lapse of a period of time after the unacceptable battery condition is first detected, the active report is given.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supervising the functioning of a plurality of valve units, a system for performing the method, a control unit and a control assembly for cooperation with the control unit. Each valve unit in the system comprises a semiconductor element (THY1-THYN) and a control unit for controlling the semiconductor element. The control unit comprises a trigger order input for receiving a trigger order (FP), an indication output for emitting a first indication signal (TP) and a trigger signal output (100) for emitting a trigger signal to the semiconductor element. The method comprises the steps: detecting a positive forward voltage (U.sub.T) across the semiconductor valve, generating a first indication signal (IP) when the forward voltage (U.sub.T) exceeds a first threshold value (U.sub.1), generating a trigger signal upon detected receival of the triggering order signal (FP), and the step: generating a second indication signal (SSTP) when the forward voltage (U.sub.

Abstract: A wireless audible indication system comprising a transmitter and a receiver. An embodiment of the transmitter includes a modulator formed by a microprocessor and a radio frequency oscillator. The modulation format employed is selectable by the user using severable jumper wires. A battery status circuit is included which verifies the status of a battery within the transmitter. The modulator transmits a low battery bit to the receiver in order to alert the user of a weak transmitter battery. An embodiment of the receiver includes a superregenerative detector which produces an intermediate signal upon receiving a radio frequency signal. A signal processing circuit, which includes an active peak detector stage and a discrete comparator stage, is used to process the intermediate signal. A microprocessor controls a sound generator circuit in response to the processed intermediate signal.

Abstract: A transmitter-receiver controller system for remote actuation of devices or appliances such as security systems and garage door opener systems. The transmitter and receiver each utilize a programmable microcontroller for encoding and decoding signals. The device code, the data transmission format and the transmission frequency are selectable. The device code, data transmission format and the transmission frequency of the transmitter and/or the receiver can be selected to emulate other remote transmitter-receiver controller systems to enable operation of the present transmitter and receiver with those systems.

Abstract: An electronic gear display for an electronically-controlled automatic transmission system having an automatic transmission, a shift lever mechanism, a transmission controller interconnecting the automatic transmission and the shift lever mechanism, a body controller, and a communication bus interconnecting the transmission controller and the body controller includes a first set of indicators connected to the body controller to indicate that the shift lever mechanism is in an automatic mode of operation of the automatic transmission, and a second set of indicators connected to the body controller to indicate that the shift lever mechanism is in a manual mode of operation of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A multifunction visitor information system for use in association with a building structure including an electrical system, intercom system, door bell system, security system and telephone system, the apparatus comprising: a central control unit formed in a planar configuration with an essentially hollow interior, the control unit being couplable to a desired mounting surface, the control unit including at least one light, a liquid crystal display panel including means for displaying a plurality of different messages for viewing by visitors to a building structure, the liquid crystal display panel and each light being electrically coupled to the electrical system of a building structure; and a plurality of function buttons being positioned within the display unit and operatively coupled to the liquid crystal display panel, the function buttons permitting users to send a plurality of different coded sequences to the panel thereby causing different messages to be displayed on the panel.

Abstract: A touch sensitive switch is fabricated from a substrate having a touch region on a first surface and a piezoelectric element on a second surface of the substrate. The piezoelectric element is driven by a signal configured so that an ultrasonic wave generated by the element is transmitted into the substrate and is reflected back and forth into the substrate at both surfaces. A touch changes the reflectivity at the first surface, and influences the impedance of the transducer assembly which is comprised of the piezoelectric element and the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a plurality of safety devices equipped in a vehicle for protecting occupants from an impact of a collision has a plurality of squibs (4,5) connected in series with each other so as to form a series circuit (6) and ignited by a current flowing through and conformed to one and the same standard. A power source (3) supplies electrical energy to the series circuit (6), and a collision detector (7) allows a current to flow from the power source (3) to said series circuit (6) when detecting a collision. A required energy for igniting all of the squibs (4,5) is thus supplied before the series circuit (6) opens electrically at one squib.

Abstract: An improved display for steering wheels places display elements on the rim of the steering wheel. In this way, an operator of a vehicle is less likely to ignore display elements such as turn signals or warning lights. In one embodiment, lights are utilized to display the informational element. In a second embodiment a reconfigurable thin display, such as an LED, an LCD or an electro-luminescent display, is utilized. In either embodiment, the displayed information may change with rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle alert system for indicating changes in vehicle operation mode. The automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system includes a power source, brake switching apparatus connected in series to the power source and responsive to the position of the brake pedal of the automotive vehicle, accelerator switching apparatus connected in series to the power source and responsive to the position of the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle, and a light disposed at a high point of the automotive vehicle rear and connected in series to the power source. When the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are both released, the brake switching apparatus and the accelerator switching apparatus closes illuminating the light and warning a trailing automotive vehicle that the automotive vehicle is changing operation which prevents rear end collisions, discourage tailgating and panic stops under normal traffic conditions, and improve visibility and perception.

Abstract: An automatic monitoring system of storage batteries housed at an application site which includes an A.C. power source at the site, a mechanism to interrupt the A.C. power from its source and generate an alarm, a battery plant to provide D.C. power when the A.C. power is interrupted, a mechanism to automatically detect and measure the voltages generated from said battery plant, a mechanism to measure the midpoint of the D.C. battery discharge voltage by measuring the rate of change of said voltage over time and halving the difference between plateau and end of life voltages, a mechanism to generate an alarm message (a) if said midpoint has been reached, (b) if a predetermined low battery cutoff voltage has been reached, (c) if the battery plant is being overcharged or undercharged, and/or (d) if A.C. power is interrupted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a monitoring station using frequency hopping and interval hopping as described. The output frequency of a transmitter in the monitoring station is hopped between selected output frequencies by retrieving random numbers from a table, generating a control voltage corresponding to the retrieved random number, applying the control voltage to an RF oscillator and transmitting a signal from a transmitter in the monitoring station using the signal from the RF oscillator as a carrier. The output frequency of the transmitter is limited between a maximum output frequency and a minimum output frequency by comparing the retrieved random number to data limits stored in a memory in the transmitter and rejecting retrieved random numbers outside of the retrieved limits. Interval hopping is realized by selecting a random number from the random number table, multiplying the random number by a fixed increment and adding the product to a minimum time interval.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a computer with movable keyboard pallets. The pallets are movable relative to each other between a compact stowing position and an extended operational position. A movement mechanism moves at least one of the pallets in a lateral direction relative to the other pallet and then towards the other pallet in a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction. The movement mechanism can be connected to the cover of the computer to automatically control movement of the pallets based upon position of the cover relative to a base of the computer. Thus, the pallets can be automatically moved from the compact stowing position, when the cover is closed, to the extended operational position when the cover is opened. Upon moving the cover from the open position to the closed position, the pallets are automatically moved from the extended operational position to the compact stowing position. The movement mechanism includes a drive arm with a spring section.