Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a controller in the vehicle for generating a plurality of security system condition signals. A local indicator generates a plurality of local security system condition indications adjacent the vehicle based upon respective security system condition signals from the controller. A local transmitter generates transmitted signals based upon respective security system condition signals from the controller. A remote unit or indicator is adapted to be carried by the user when away from the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signals from the local transmitter and for generating a plurality of remote security system indications which emulate the local security system condition indications generated by the local indicator. In other terms, the remote indicator means emulates the same predetermined pattern as the indications given at the vehicle by the local indicator means but uses a different indicator to indicate the pattern.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises a motor driving the vehicle's wheels, multiple batteries supplying electric power to the motor, and a generator driven by an internal combustion engine to generate electric power for charging the batteries. Battery sensors detect terminal voltages of the batteries. An ECU controls a DC/DC converter to distribute electric power to independently charge the batteries through charge lines in accordance with the shortage of charge in respective batteries when excess electrical power is available from the generator even after a required amount of electrical power from the generator is used to rotate wheels.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus for detecting a deteriorating condition in a bank of standby batteries includes injecting an audio frequency current into one of the battery buses or cables, detecting an audio frequency current signal, matched to the injected audio frequency current signal, that is carried by the battery bus and detecting a voltage drop, at the audio frequency, across the bank of standby batteries. In one embodiment, current transformers are utilized in connection with an oscillator (to inject the AF current signal) and detection circuits (comparators and operational amplifiers) are utilized to generate a representative current signal and a representative voltage signal. The device detects when the standby batteries are operating in a normal, stable condition, that is, when the bank is neither being recharged nor is discharging DC power to the load.

Abstract: A novel pager and paging system assist a traveler, particularly a business traveler, with itinerary reminders and information regarding local services that is coordinated to the place and time of the items on the traveler's schedule. The paging system includes a database of the traveler's itinerary information and a database of information regarding locally available services. Items from the itinerary database are matched with similarly located or related services and transmitted to the traveler's pager in a timely manner to remind the traveler of his or her schedule and commitments.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery and/or recycling system includes fluid flow control mechanism controlling the flow of refrigerant between a refrigerant containing structure and an associated refrigeration unit, under the control of a microprocessor-based control circuit. The system has a text-based display screen and selective input keys including software-definable keys respectively associated with different regions of the display screen and respectively associated therewith by indicia on the screen bezel. Memories are coupled to the control circuit for cooperation therewith to control the display of messages on the display screen and for defining functions performed by the software-definable keys in accordance with the corresponding messages displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for sending signals downhole during drilling operations uses a main pump to pump mud from a mud pit at a substantially constant flow rate. The bulk of the pumped mud goes downhole to maintain adequate circulation for the drill bit. A bypass pipe is provided with a shut-off valve that is controlled by an electronic controller. By pulsing the opening and closing of the shut-off valve, the volumetric flow downhole is pulsed. The pulse amplitude and duration can be controlled. These pulses in the flow rate are detected by a suitable downhole device such as a flow rate measurement device, a pressure detector or a turbine. The initial "wake-up" pulse is made long enough so that the detection device downhole is always able to detect it. Subsequent to this wake-up pulse, adjustments are made to the pulse duration, in steps of about 2 seconds, for the smallest pulse period that is detectable downhole.

Abstract: A signal pillar includes a plurality of signal elements (2, 2') which are identical in their design and are arranged one on top of the other. In order to achieve simple and effective mechanical and electrical connection, a bayonet closure arrangement (13) is provided between the signal elements (2, 2') and an electrical connection base (3), and connection between respectively adjacent components are made by connecting wires having L-shaped legs (31) and U-shaped connecting bridges (27).

Abstract: A device senses a mechanical shock to a component, such as a tape cartridge, and provides indication thereof to a reader mechanism upon inquiry by the reader mechanism. The device, secured to the component, includes a sensing structure which reacts to a shock event. The device also includes a transmission for transmitting the occurrence of a shock event prior to use of the component upon appropriate inquiry by the reader mechanism.

Abstract: A method of producing a three-dimensional image comprises the steps of: sequentially producing images of depth plane contours of an object by tracing the images representative of the contours in each plane; and projecting the contour images onto a moving screen to display the images at an appropriate point in space. The rate of production of the contour images is more rapid than can be discerned by the human eye such that persistence of vision creates an apparently solid three-dimensional image of the object.

Abstract: A novel paging technology allows a pager user limited wireless access to the internet via a paging system. The pager user may file an interest profile with the pager system service provider listing internet sites from which the pager user desires information. The service provider may access those sites and provide the information to the subscriber's pager either regularly or when signalled to do so by the pager user. The pager may further include an input device, such as a virtual keyboard, with which e-mail or chat room messages may be entered. The pager then transmits the messages to the paging system which conveys them to the internet.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical pointing device, such as those used to control devices such as televisions, VCRs, video games and computers, which have improved accuracy and lower sensitivity to detrimental effects, such as noise and user hand unsteadiness, than prior art devices. Such pointing devices emit light beams, such as infrared light, which when received by a receiver are used to position cursors or other symbolic shapes, such as sliding volume controls. An advantage of the pointing device of the invention is that light emitting diodes of conventional manufacture, known to have poor optical precision and hence variable angular emission profiles, may nevertheless be used in the pointing device of the invention.

Abstract: A seal comprises a one-piece body having first and second members closable one upon the other and a tail peripherally continuous with at least one of the first and second members and having a hook at a free end thereof, the seal body defining an interior recess and a detent for retentive reception of the tail hook, an EAS marker being disposed in the recess and contained therein upon closure of the first and second members. The seal body may further include a hinge section connected to the first and second members, whereby the first and second members are hingeably closable.

Abstract: A motor vehicle indicator light comprises a light source, a reflector defining an axis on which the light source lies, the reflector having striations in a first orientation, and an optical plate having striations in a second orientation substantially at right angles to the first orientation. A central zone of the reflector spreads the light in a first direction in a first angular gap defined on either side of the axis, while the striations in two side zones of the reflector spread the light while directing it towards the axis of the reflector in the first direction. A homologous central zone of the optical plate, which may be an intermediate screen, spreads the light in a second direction substantially at right angles to the first direction, in a second angular gap on either side of the axis, while homologous side zones of the intermediate screen spread the light in the second direction to a lesser extent than the central zone.

Abstract: A system is provided including a tactile assembly having a plurality of solenoid units adapted to transfer to an extended orientation upon the actuation thereof. Also included is a camera unit for generating an image indicative of a present perspective of objects situated in a predetermined direction. Next provided is control circuitry for actuating the solenoid units to simulate the image generated by the camera unit such that the solenoid units actuated are those which correspond to pixels within the image that have either a higher or lower brightness.

Abstract: A game can be played using pagers and a paging system. Game participants receive information and clues from the paging system directing them to a particular landmark or location. Once there, the participants signal the system with a response which is dependent on their being at the correct location. The paging system then additionally determines that the participant is transmitting from roughly the correct location. When the participant is thus verified as being at the correct location, the next clue is transmitted to the participant. This continues until a participant correctly deciphers all the clues and arrives at the end of the game.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has line and load terminals and a mechanism which indicates the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit breaker. The mechanism includes a current sensing resistor coupled between the supply and load terminals. An amplifier is coupled to the current sensing resistor and produces a first output signal corresponding to the current magnitude. A first light emitting diode is energized by the first output signal. A first comparator is coupled to the amplifier and produces illumination of a second light emitting diode when the first output signal exceeds a first reference voltage level. A third light emitting diode is illuminated by a second comparator when the first output signal exceeds a second reference voltage level. Thus the number of light emitting diodes that are illuminated indicates the relative level of current conducted by the circuit breaker.

Abstract: In a non-stop automatic toll collection system for exchanging information by radio between a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle and a toll station, the toll station side comprises two receivers having different directional properties. The gain of one receiver is high when the vehicle is inside a toll collection area in which a toll charge is collected, and the gain of the other receiver is high when the vehicle is outside this toll collection area. It can therefore be determined whether the source emanating the received radio waves is inside or outside the toll collection area by comparing the intensity of the signal received by these two receivers.

Abstract: An indicator light for a motor vehicle includes a light source and a reflector, which directs light from the light source in a forward direction on a first screen having lines of optical elements, which converge the light beam received from the reflector on a second screen in front of the first screen. The second screen includes, through at least part of its thickness, colored bands and translucent bands which are arranged alternately with each other over the height of the screen. In the first screen, the lines of optical elements are separated from each other by opaque colored bands, which are aligned with the colored bands of the second screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for establishing communications between electrical and electronic devices utilizing existing power signal distribution networks are disclosed. In such methods and apparatus the transmitting and receiving components of such devices are coupled between line and ground. Such coupling is achieved utilizing a coupler, a first frequency reactive device, such as a drain coil or inductor, connected in series with neutral and a second frequency reactive device, such as a capacitor connected between neutral ground. For use with existing electronic equipment, an adaptor for coupling the communications signal to a power signal distribution network is also disclosed. Since, line and neutral paths may sometimes be mis-wired, the apparatus and methods also disclose the use of a switch for enabling the coupling of a communication signal when a power signal is sensed on the line path.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle alert device including a transmitter secured within an emergency vehicle. A receiver is secured within a non-emergency vehicle. The receiver cooperates with the transmitter for receiving a signal therefrom. The receiver couples with an existing emergency flasher fuse in a fuse box of the non-emergency vehicle for activation of emergency flashers upon receiving a signal from the transmitter.