Abstract: The base of a security/prevention system is an electronic device which has the capability of joining the performance of two functions, i.e. prevention of road accidents and theft protection of vehicles, using the principle of joint use of frequencies, whereby interference with the device's operation is prevented. The invention allows, on the one hand, such application in road traffic prevention in which an electronic security device installed in a vehicle provides passive or active warning of participants in the traffic as to possible momentary dangers requiring quick reaction of the driver. On the other hand, the invention allows such application in road traffic safety in which an electronic security device protects vehicles against theft; the device comprises three base units, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative door chime particularly well suited to festive occasions. The chime's speaker element is suspended on one side of the door, and a door-knocker actuated trigger switch on the other side of the door, by a strap. The strap encloses the electrical connections between them, hiding and protecting them. A mounting clip is slidably attached to the strap for securing and positioning wreaths and other similar decorations. The sound generator plays songs, tone sequences, recorded voice messages etc. in response to actuation of the trigger switch.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically supplying a flashing line voltage from power stored in an auxiliary battery to power red traffic signal lamps using clusters of light emitting diodes during a blackout condition. A plurality of flash block connectors are pin-to-pin compatible with the flash block jumper blocks of an already installed traffic light control system so that the existing system is retrofitted without any cabinet or field rewiring or any cutting or crimping of the wires.

Abstract: A personal security system uses conversion factors that exaggerate the influence of signal strength to locate transmitting communicators. The system includes an alarm center, portable communicators for transmitting wireless signals and a plurality of fixed receivers in known positions for monitoring the transmissions and detecting the signals. Transmitted information, including signal strength, is forwarded from the receivers to the alarm center. A transmitting communicator is located by the system using the known positions and received signal strength at the detecting receivers. Conversion factors that increase with signal strength magnify its influence, so strong signals dominate the locating calculations. In addition to a calculated location of the transmitting communicator, the alarm center displays the location of a plurality of the detecting receivers, selecting between alternative displayed information depending on a comparison of the received signal strengths.

Abstract: A serial data communication device of an air conditioner including: an outdoor microprocessor having data transmitting/receiving terminals which transmit/receive a predetermined data; an indoor microprocessor having data transmitting/receiving terminals which transmit/receive data to/from the outdoor microprocessor; a rectification part for converting an alternating current power to a predetermined level of a direct current power to thereby supply the direct current power to the indoor/outdoor microprocessors; an outdoor interface part connected between the data transmitting terminal of the outdoor microprocessor and a direct power output terminal of the rectification part, for isolating the rectification part and the outdoor microprocessor through a first insulation switching part and simultaneously for constituting a first communication line; and an indoor interface part for isolating the rectification part and the indoor microprocessor through a second insulation switching part and simultaneously for const

Abstract: A remote intelligent communications device includes a primary RF communications port and an alternative modem communications port. The remote intelligent communications device receives configuration data for configuring the alternative modem communications port. The remote intelligent communications device obtains information data concerning a select attribute of an associated object. The information data is stored within internal memory of the remote intelligent communications device. Thereafter, the stored information data is retrieved, per one embodiment via the alternative modem port, from the remote intelligent communications device and analyzed for drawing conclusions regarding the select attribute of the associated object. Preferably, the remote intelligent communications device also includes a navigation (e.g. GPS) receiver that obtains navigation data, which navigation data is also stored within the internal memory of the remote intelligent communications device.

Abstract: A two-way pager alarm system for a home or business that reports to a security monitoring center in a wireless fashion. The alarm system, when required, initiates communication with the security monitoring center through the existing base station network that supports the two-way pager's communication, thereby transferring an alarm condition message to a distant security monitoring center with minimal transmission power. The message to the security monitoring center contains an individualized code which identifies the owner of the alarm system and also contains additional information, such as the alarm condition. The communication between the alarm system and the security monitoring center is based upon a two-way paging protocol such as ReFlex.TM.. At the security monitoring center the message is received and translated by a computer into specific information pertaining to the alarm system.

Abstract: An alarm significance mapping method assigns the subset of parameters and their alarms considered to be of a safety-critical nature in an industrial control system and displays that subset on an apex screen display and other selected appropriate displays, such as a touch-responsive display in the form of alarm icons for presentation to the system operators. Each alarm icon on the `apex` display is coupled or concatenated to other displays through a display page hierarchy so that the operator, by selecting a particular alarm icon on the `apex` screen, can follow the alarm `thread` through the multi-level display page hierarchy to the ultimate condition or conditions that cause an alarm on the `apex` screen.

Abstract: A self-powered powerline sensor includes a core layer for wrapping about an a.c. powerline; a winding layer, including of a plurality of windings to be energized by the a.c. powerline, disposed about the core layer; means for sensing a condition in or about the a.c. powerline; and means, powered by the windings, in communication with the means for sensing, for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed condition over the a.c. powerline.

Abstract: The present invention defines an anti-theft device for use with a variety of personal property, including bicycles, motorcycles and other small vehicles employing a three-part assembly of high-impact glass-filled nylon which attaches to vehicle frames of various size. The fastening means is hidden and sound channels are utilized to enhance an audible alarm and to prevent muffling of an interior speaker, activated by partial cutting or disconnection of a cable of known resistance. The cable is inserted in a case assembly with differing positions depending on whether the user wishes to set the alarm or store the cable out of the way if not energized. The alarm may be silenced by incrementally turning a key and removing a cable. The same key is positioned to allow arming of the alarm by insertion of the cables in the proper orientation.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator includes a pressure gauge for a pneumatic tire of a vehicle. The pressure gauge has a casing formed with an aperture and mounted on the pneumatic tire such that air in the pneumatic tire flows into the casing via the aperture. A signal generating device is disposed in the casing and is capable of transmitting wirelessly a pressure signal corresponding to pressure of the air in the pneumatic tire. A power supplying device is disposed in the casing and is connected electrically to the signal generating device so as to supply electric power for operating the signal generating device. The power supplying device includes a self-generating voltage unit which has a spring plate with a mounting end secured to the casing and an opposite distal end, a weighting block secured to the distal end, and a piezoelectric unit secured to the spring plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying information from a signaling trail vehicle to oncoming trail vehicles. The information typically pertains to traffic, environmental or other trail conditions present behind the signaling trail vehicle. The apparatus comprises a signaling device to convey information from the signaling trail vehicle to the oncoming trail vehicles, and an actuation mechanism for operating the signal device. The method comprises the steps of energizing a yellow/amber light to provide a caution to oncoming trail vehicles of a trail hazard and energizing a green light to provide an all-clear signal to indicate that no additional trail vehicles are following the signaling trail vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle detector comprising a flux gate magnetometer with vertical and horizontal sensing coils is positioned within a roadway. The ambient levels of the earth's magnetic field as sensed by the magnetometer are used to establish reference levels and deviations therefrom are evaluated by a microprocessor which produces a vehicle arrived signal when the vertical component of sensed perturbations exceed a threshold and in an alternate mode when either vertical or horizontal levels exceed threshold values. Both vertical and horizontal levels must fall below threshold levels to determine a departure in either mode. Vehicle arrival and departure events are encoded as NRZ data packets which are transmitted by an edge-fired antenna as FM modulated signals. A remote multi-channel receiver capable of responding to a plurality of magnetometer modulated FM transmitters processes the received data and provides signals that are used by traffic signal controlling computers.

Abstract: A home alarm system for use by an authorized user while in the home, manual input commands to the system being required by the user as events around the home might occur for proper system operation. The system includes a programmable microcomputer having a specific preprogrammed operating logic and a multi-key control panel operably connected to the microcomputer. By manually depressing an arming key, the microcomputer is activated to initiate a first time delay. This would typically be done by a user at the ring of a doorbell or upon hearing strange noises and the like. Unless a multi-key disarming code is entered before the end of the first timing delay, a warning signal is activated and continues for a second preprogrammed time delay. Again, unless the disarm code is timely entered before the end of the second time delay, a very loud siren or other wide area broadcast alarm signal is activated.

Abstract: The apparatus is a detector for ferromagnetic objects using a small passive coil to sense disturbances in the earth's magnetic field when an object moves near the coil. The circuit uses a multiplier in the form of an electronic switch on the output of the coil to impose a much higher frequency on the output of the coil. This separates the frequency of amplification from the frequency of the coil signal and makes it possible to sharply filter the signal, prevent false alarms from electrical noise, identify the direction in which the object is moving, and reduce the power consumed through the use of a sampling technique. The frequency conversion technique also allows for multiplexing of multiple coils by one signal processing circuit.

Abstract: An annunciator control circuit adaptable for responding to a plurality of types of fault indicative inputs is provided. The control circuit includes a signal conditioning circuit portion having an input line and an output line. The signal conditioning circuit also includes switch means adjustable for selectively configuring the signal conditioning circuit portion to receive each of the plurality of types of fault indicative inputs at the input line thereof and to provide a conditioned fault indicative output signal in response thereto at the output line. The control circuit further includes a first latching circuit portion connected to the output line of the signal conditioning circuit portion and having a first output line. A first switching transistor of the control circuit includes a base, collector, and emitter, the base connected to the first output line of the first latching circuit portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for testing the operation of a sensor controlled monitor device by using a test device connected in parallel to the monitor device. When activated, the test device sinks a current signal, representing a parameter to be monitored, in a steadily changing, calibrated manner, causing an input to the monitor device to vary, thus permitting the monitor device to respond to the varied signal to calibrate or test alarm settings and function. The present invention permits easy confirmation of the monitor device's gain adjustment, zero adjustment, and setpoint adjustment. In addition, there is no need to physically disconnect the transmitting sensor circuit or to physically change the amount of the substance being monitored. There is also no need to disturb any wiring of existing circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing errors in a battery powered sensing circuit uses two pull-up resistors. The first resistor has a value selected to minimize battery drain and the second resistor has a value selected to reduce dendrite or other parasitic parallel resistance. The resistors are selectively connected to the circuit based on a predetermined sequence and/or time interval.

Abstract: Data bit error rates for power line carrier data transmission, in commercial and industrial applications, such as in office buildings and manufacturing plants is improved by connecting the power line transceiver modem to the power line via a booster amplifier and filter circuit which raises the carrier data signal level of the order of 20 dB, thereby overcoming spikes and other noise which can adversely affect the error rate. The power for the carrier data transmission system is obtained from the power lines over which the data is transmitted through filters which isolate the power supply from the power line thereby reducing the introduction of power supply noise into the power line and further improving the data bit error rate.

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 control panel having a central processing unit and a plurality of alarm devices, each having a microprocessor, that are electrically coupled to the control panel. In particular, the present invention is a two-tier monitoring system such that each alarm device monitors its zone for a shorter rolling time period and the control panel monitors the same zone of the alarm device for a longer rolling time period. An electronic circuit of the alarm device, including the microprocessor, reads and processes data received from various sensors of the alarm device. Periodically, the alarm device updates a first reference value stored in its memory based on the data received from the sensors during the shorter rolling time period.