Abstract: A display sign is in the form of a flat panel loudspeaker, the graphics of the display being carried on one exposed surface of the flat panel, the latter being provided with one or more transducers such that the flat panel may be energized to transmit sound in accordance with signals supplied to the one or more transducers. The sign may also be provided with an arrangement for storing inputs made by a user for later retrieval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring grounding of personnel and equipment in electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitive areas. The device generates a low voltage alternating current control signal (60) which is applied to personnel (50) and equipment (350) being monitored. The device further includes signal conditioning (66) and detection means (70) to distinguish static charges from the control signal and transmit an alarm (72) upon detection of such static charge. The method encompasses the use of an alternating current control signal to detect static charge.

Abstract: A system for electronically signalling along a fence line, comprising one or more transmitter device(s) for connection to the fence line from which control signals or information may be sent along the fence line and one or more receiver device(s) for connection to the fence line to receive control signals. Each transmitter device includes transmission means arranged to form the control signal(s) or information as one or more data blocks, generate a carrier frequency, and phase modulate the carrier with the signal and apply the phase modulated carrier to the fence line. Each receiver device includes means arranged to demodulate the transmitted signal to recover the data block(s) and process the data block(s) to recover the control signals(s) or information. The system is adapted to work with both electric and non-electric fence lines.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system is disclosed. The system utilizes interaction between magnetic fields generated by a plurality of antennae elements to generate magnetic field in different orientations within an interrogation zone. The antenna elements are fed in different phases in accordance to phase patterns to generate the different orientations. A novel receiving antenna construction for receiving the perturbations caused by re-magnetization of a marker within the interrogation zone is also disclosed. The antenna construction comprises a receiving coil at a certain distance from the transmitting coil, and a compensating coil closer to a transmitting coil. A method for utilizing the system is also presented.

Abstract: A locator device having a transponder subcutaneously implanted in a person or animal that is to be periodically monitored in the event of emergency, abduction and other such situations. The transponder has a battery that is rechargeable by using the potential electrical energy generated by the body of the host organism. The preferred embodiment of the rechargeable transponder uses a piezoelectric battery that is to be implanted in an appropriate manner that would permit a large muscle to act upon a piezoelectric element thereby converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy to provide a recharge to the battery.

Abstract: In a method for identifying bulk goods from a radio frequency identification device on the bulk goods with a radio frequency reader antenna a radiation midpoint of the radio frequency reader antenna is moved along the radio frequency reader antenna and radiation from the radio frequency identification device is directed toward the radio frequency reader antenna.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention enable a user to select from different appearances and sound types by providing different door chime assembly housing covers. The housing covers can be different in shape, size, appearance, and/or acoustic property, and preferably can be releasably mounted a housing base. A door chime assembler, manufacturer, or user can therefore select from different door chime assembly appearances and acoustic properties by selecting one of two or more different housing covers. The door chime assembly can employ a number of different features that change the sound quality of the door chime assembly, including a domed or tented housing cover shape, a housing cover having curved edges and corners, an open acoustic chamber unbroken by internal walls, and side wall housing apertures. Other significant advantages are provided by the use of a door chime assembly transformer that is mounted to the door chime assembly housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a visual indication of receipt of an electronic message by changing the color of at least a portion of a display formed of liquid crystal according to the message received. A first circuit receives an incoming signal, a second circuit identifies the incoming signal by comparing the incoming signal with stored signals, and a third circuit causes a predetermined voltage to be coupled to a predetermined area of the liquid crystal to cause the predetermined area to assume a predetermined color to call attention to the incoming message.

Abstract: A sensor device, comprising a pyroelectric sensor which is set to operate in daylight, especially an infrared-based motion sensor, and an electronic evaluator. The electronic evaluator is connected downstream of the sensor and is configured to produce a control signal in response to a detector signal from the sensor in relation to a threshold value. The electronic evaluator also has a sensing device for measuring a daylight ambient brightness and a compensating device which is configured to respond to a considerable change in the daylight ambient brightness by modifying the threshold value and/or the detector signal to compensate.

Abstract: A tire condition sensor module (14) for a vehicle (10) comprises at least one actuatable tire condition sensor (78, 84, 88) for sensing a tire condition of an associated vehicle tire (20) and a motion detector (32) for detecting movement of the associated vehicle tire (20). The module (14) further includes a transmitter (44) for transmitting a tire condition indicating signal having a characteristic based on the sensed tire condition signal. A controller (74) controls actuation of the tire condition sensor (78, 84, 88) and the transmitter (44). The controller (74) is continuously energized and has first and second operating modes. The controller (74) operates in the first operating mode when movement of the associated tire (20) is greater than a predetermined value and operates in the second operating mode when movement of the associated tire (20) is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A control method using power to prevent overheat inside of an electric equipment includes a setting unit, a sensing unit, a central processing unit, an alarm unit, a power cut-off protection unit, and s control unit. The detecting values are supplied by the sensing members of the sensing unit into the central processing unit to be compared with the setting temperature value. The central processing unit then outputs a corresponding control signal to the control unit which controls the loads to perform actions of unload or reload. When the temperature values of the detected members reach the setting temperature values, the central processing unit outputs a control signal to the alarm unit to send an alarm while the power cut-off protection unit cuts off the power of the electric equipment, thereby preventing the detected members from being overheated so as to increase the used lifetime, and thereby assuring the operational functions of the detected members.

Abstract: A method for making a security system more tamper resistant involving the step of monitoring an electric reference characteristic in a detection circuit of a security system and generating random periodic changes to the electrical reference characteristic in order to detect any tampering with the electric reference characteristic in the detection circuit.

Abstract: A security gate breach detection and reporting system is disclosed, which includes a breach detector responsive to the simultaneous receipt of signals from the security gate indicative of a breach, and adapted to generate an imaging control signal; at least one digital image producing device at the location of the security gate connected to the imaging control signal and adapted to produce image data responsive to receipt of the imaging control signal; a communication unit responsive to the breach detector and in data contact with the at least one image producing device, directly or through the breach detector, and, responsive to a signal from the breach detector, adapted to communicate image data to a remote location; and, wherein the signals from the security gate comprise signals indicating that the security gate is in the closed position and a vehicle is passing through the gate area, or signals indicating that the security gate has not returned to the closed position and a second vehicle is passing throu

Abstract: An aerialift warning system and method for use on aerialift equipment to warn the aerialift operator to fasten his/her safety lanyard and to warn persons within the zone of danger below the aerialift boom/basket of the impending danger posed by the descending boom/basket. The system includes a warning module and a speaker. The warning module includes a driver circuit for receiving a boom movement input signal and for asserting an up motion or down motion signal, and a processing circuit for receiving the up motion and down motion signal. The processing circuit contains an execution program to assert one or more warning messages contained in an audio warning circuit. The asserted one or more messages from the audio warning circuit are sent to a speaker.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a backing maneuver of an automotive vehicle and trailer combination in which the vehicle has operator-actuated front wheel steering and microprocessor-actuated, reversible electric motor driven rear wheel steering. For a given initial alignment of vehicle and trailer, the computer-executed method first determines whether the driver needs to pull forward before commencing the backing operation. The driver is then requested to turn the front wheels in a direction suitable for backing the vehicle without a trailer in the desired direction. The process then determines whether the driver needs to perform counter front wheel steering before backing. Then the process controls the steering of the rear wheels during the backing operation.

Abstract: A security and monitoring device for an emergency exit door has an electrical control device 15 with a microprocessor, an LED current-status display device 11, an emergency off switch device 3, and a key switch device 12 are located in use in a door terminal 20. In order to obtain an especially simple design as well as advantages in assembly and maintenance, provision is made that door terminal 20 is modular in design and control device 15, status display device 11, emergency off switch device 3, and key switch device 12 are designed as modules. These modules are located in under-plaster switch boxes so that an under-plaster arrangement of the terminal is obtained.

Abstract: A surveillance system for use in a checkout stand counter and the like, comprises: a camera mounted near the floor of the checkout stand counter; a monitor mounted to the checkout stand counter and positioned for convenient viewing by a cashier working at the checkout stand counter; and, constraints defining an aisle adjacent to the checkout stand counter for shopping carts moved alongside the checkout stand counter, whereby the surveillance system displays any objects on a lower tray of the shopping carts moved through the aisle. The checkout stand counter can comprise a numerical keyboard and the monitor can be positioned adjacent to the numerical keyboard, whereby the monitor is in a position giving an appearance of being associated with operation of the numerical keyboard.

Abstract: A small, portable, low cost, battery operated, radio-controlled decoy simulates the sound of small arms fire. The units may be deployed remotely in the field to distract and confuse defending forces when attacked by advancing or infiltrating forces.

Abstract: The distance between a cash cassette and the person who is handling the cassette is measured automatically in case that there is a risk that a cash cassette may be stolen during a burglary. When the distance equals or exceeds a predetermined distance, it is concluded that a burglary has occurred, and various burglary alarm devices are activated. Accordingly, even when only one person performs a cash cassette exchange at a location which is easily accessible to other people, the commission of a crime can be immediately detected, so that the theft of a cash cassette during a burglary can be prevented. Therefore, the number of persons required for a cash cassette exchange can be reduced, which results to a reduction of operating costs. Further, since extra space is not required for a cash cassette exchange, restriction of a choice of an installation location for an automatic transaction apparatus can be considerably reduced.