Abstract: An antitheft vehicle protection system has a remote control unit with which separate messages can be sent to a vehicle mounted protection device. The protection device, a portion of which is placed in a favorable location inside the vehicle such as near a windshield, monitors a variety of vehicle conditions such as the status of door locks, the status of an engine operation control circuit, the insertion of an ignition key and the integrity of the power circuit leading to the antitheft system. One of the messages is decoded as representative of a robbery in progress when certain other alarm conditions such as an open driver's door and a running engine exist. The other message is decoded as representative of a panic condition. Both messages can result in audible alarms. In case of the alarm indicative of a robbery in progress, a delay is interposed to enable a sufficient distance between driver and robber to be achieved before an alarm condition such as an engine lock out is established.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for vehicles which displays information useful to the driver/viewer when viewing the mirror assembly. Indicia are formed by narrow deletion lines, preferably using computer controlled laser marking apparatus, in a reflective coating on a mirror element of the assembly. A light source, which may be a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb or another type source, is positioned behind the mirror element to illuminate the indicia for distinct, clear, precise visibility by the driver/viewer. The lines of the deletion area are sufficiently narrow as to be generally unnoticeable to the unaided viewer's eyes when a rear vision image is reflected by the reflecting surface and the light source is unlit thereby preventing interference with normal driving use of the mirror assembly. The light source may be used to simultaneously illuminate portions of the vehicle as well as the deletion area indicia.

Abstract: A barrier assembly used to selectively prevent unauthorized automobiles and like vehicles from entering a parking space wherein a barrier portion of the subject assembly is selectively positionable preferably through use of a remote control activated system, between a blocking and retracted position and further wherein the retracted position allows the authorized vehicle to pass thereover for parking within the designated space. The assembly may include spikes to puncture tires when in a blocking position or a warning sign or both.

Abstract: A system for controlled meter parking of road vehicles comprising a parking meter and a portable terminal for use by a checker of the controlled meter parking. A keyboard allows drivers to enter vehicle data. A parking time limit is calculated as the function of the amount of money paid. The parking meter then stores pairs of data items, where each pair contains a vehicle data item and an associated parking time limit. In one embodiment, the amount of money is read from a memory card to allow the driver to receive credit for any time not used upon return to pick up the car. The system includes a clock for comparison with the parking time limits. When the comparison with the clock indicates that a parking time limit has expired, the associated pair of data items are deleted from the parking meter memory. A portable terminal allows a checker to enter identification data corresponding to a vehicle actually parked in one of the parking spaces.

Abstract: An op-amp flasher for trucks, busses, ambulances and other equipment requiring flashing high power light sources. The flashing is made more noticeable and lamp life increased by increasing the spacing between the flashes so that the flashes are on less than half of the time. In a preferred form, the flashes are on a third of the time and intervals between flashes are two-thirds of the time.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting a level of an engine oil of an engine includes an operation for detecting a time duration in which the engine is operating. When the engine operation has continued for more than a predetermined time period, and the engine is stopped. Subsequently, the oil level is detected after the elapse of a second predetermined time period in which the engine is stopped. By this feature, the engine oil level is detected very accurately.

Abstract: A horn circuit for an automotive vehicle features a transistor amplifying circuit which functions to amplify an output current of a horn switch. With the help of this transistor amplifying circuit, the horn switch makes the horn circuit operative in order to actuate the horn, regardless of depressive strength applied to the switch operation. A diaphragm or membrane switch which is a small current type is usable, whereby a low-cost and highly reliable horn circuit for the automotive vehicle is realized.

Abstract: The optical line watchers continuously monitor the out areas along the court lines, selectively capture the images when the ball touches the watched areas, and convert optical information into electrical pulses of current, which properly selected and amplified, produce audio and video announcements.

Abstract: In the field of off-highway trucks, tires represent a significant portion of operating expenses. Underinflated tires wear more quickly than properly inflated tires. This invention pertains to an apparatus for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) and displaying the information to the operator or service personnel. The apparatus senses internal pressures of preselected struts (16,18), and converts these signals into an indication of relative inflation pressures of the associated tires (32). When a tire is underinflated relative to another tire by a preselected amount, an underinflation signal is transmitted to a display. The display indicates to the operator that a tire is underinflated.

Abstract: A signal is received from a key having predetermined information. A resulting output signal is discriminated as to whether it represents the predetermined information. A predetermined anti-theft operation is actuated in response to output signals from first and second detectors indicating that at least one predetermined one of the covering members is closed and locked. Operation of the actuator is disabled in response to an output signal indicating that the received signal represents the predetermined information. The key includes a magnetic element forming first predetermined information, and light emitting elements for emitting infrared ray carrying second predetermined information. The predetermined anti-theft operation is actuated in response to an output signal from a third detector indicating that the key has been removed from a predetermined key hole, in addition to the output signals from the first and second detectors.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior light flashing unit for use with a vehicle having a pair of rearwardly projecting red and/or yellow lamps such as brake lights or turn signals and one or more white lamps such as backup lights. The unit, which can be connected to such vehicle without interrupting the existing lamp control circuit, energizes the red/yellow lamps alternatingly with the white lamps to produce highly visible alternating sequence of white and red light to indicate a hazardous condition. If the vehicle also includes a third center brake light, it may be energized together with the other red/yellow lamps to produce a pattern of light having an alternating geometric form of a triangle and a horizontal line to additionally enhance recognition.

Abstract: An apparatus to indicate a low level of liquid in a vessel, such as an automobile crankcase. A light-emitting diode and a phototransistor are coupled at the crankcase so that the light received by the phototransistor varies with rising or falling oil levels. The diode has a given maximum current rating. A unique pulse generating circuit applies a short duration, high-current pulse to the light-emitting diode to produce a correspondingly short but intense burst of radiant energy that is received by the phototransistor. The sensitivity of response is superior to that of a phototransistor employed with a light-emitting diode driven by low-level voltages giving rise to currents equal to or less than its steady-state rating. False readings are eliminated when the vehicle is on an incline, or when the ignition switch is improperly operated. Reliable functioning is had, even at high operating temperatures.

Abstract: A device for displaying the gear parameters of a bicycle comprises a sensor for detecting the position of the member (or members) for controlling the gear-change, and display means connected to the sensor means and able to supply a signal indicative of the ratio engaged. In a preferred embodiment, the number of teeth of the two gear-wheels (front and rear) on which the chain is engaged are displayed.

Abstract: A highly reliable and economical traffic signal has only one light-emitting display section having two or more semiconductor thin-film EL plates of different colors such as green and red stacked one on top of the other. Green and red can be displayed by causing one of the EL plates to emit light and yellow can be displayed by causing both of them to emit light.

Abstract: A safety license plate frame includes a lens that extends around the frame and a plurality of mini-lamps located around the frame and connected in series between an input and ground. A running lights power circuit, including, in series, a running lights connecting wire and a resistor, is connected, to the input to provide current, at reduced voltage, to the lamps when the running lights are on. A brake lights power circuit, including a brake lights connector wire, is connected to the input in parallel with the running lights circuit, to provide current at a full 12 volts when the brake is depressed.

Abstract: In the zone of coupling between the reflector body and the battery body of the signal, the general switch is accommodated, and connected with it is a displaceable element that follows the operating motion of said switch, so that when the latter is in the on position, the displaceable element opens the vents of the battery situated on the upper face of same, and vice versa.

Abstract: A paging system in which a large number of paging amplifiers may be connected to a pair of signal and power carrying wires having insufficient capacity to carry operating power for the amplifiers. Each of the amplifiers has a local chargeable battery connected to receive charging current from the pair of wires and for operating the associated paging amplifier. Charging power is applied to the pair of wires for charging the batteries during intervals when no paging signal is being carried by the wires. The presence or absence of charging power is detected and the paging amplifiers disabled or enabled respectively in response.

Abstract: The method and apparatus provides an improved system for monitoring air brakes of a motor vehicle and providing the operator with a signal when brake adjustment or repair is required. A permanent magnet is mounted to a slack adjuster or push rod for air brakes of the vehicle and the magnet is moveable with the rod. A housing containing a magnetically actuated switch, a power supply and an audible single generator is fixedly mounted relative to the push rod. As the magnet on the push rod is moved within a predetermined distance of the fixed housing, the magnetically actuated switch actuates the audible signal generator to produce a warning signal indicating that brake adjustment is required. The system has its own electrical power supply which operates independently from other electrical systems in the vehicle and therefore does not depend upon the electrical power of the vehicle itself for proper operation.

Abstract: A warning for a vehicular air brake system, which system is powered by air compressed by a rotary compressor. A sensor senses rotation of some part of the compressor, and if a signal respective to rotation is not sensed during a predetermined increment of time, an alarm is caused to alert the operator of an impending lack of compressed air.

Abstract: A communication device for entries to buildings with several apartments including a support in one piece with the outside facade of the building having a transparent body formed by a plate of bulletproof glass which is entirely smooth and is provided with a perimeter larger than the perimeter of an opening made in a metallic frame, a plate covered by the transparent body, and having screens for visualizing and displaying permanent and temporary information, formed of a plate of liquid crystals comprising visualization and displaying screens entirely covered by the transparent body, an outside loudspeaker, at least one bell or other device for translating an impulse into sound or other indicia or signals with a place for the name, at least one inside loudspeacker fitted with a contactor, connectors and selectors formed by a control and selection element with a memory connected to the different screens, the visualization and display screens for the permanent and temporary information being acted on by the bell