Abstract: A keyboard for a personal computer system has a remote control function. The personal computer system has a keyboard unit for communicating with a main computer unit by using signal lines connected therebetween and generating a re-send signal when a communication request signal for remote control is provided from the main computer unit. A communication control section controls a communication of the keyboard unit with the main computer unit in response to the control signal, so as to allow the remote control receiver to receive information for redefining of a key function for the remote control. The keyboard can redefine a key function for remote control in accordance with several sorts of programs.

Abstract: A touch screen input apparatus including a plurality of touch screens, a chip mounter provided with the apparatus, and a method for controlling the chip mounter are provided which improve the capability of controlling the chip mounter. The touch screen input apparatus of a chip mounter comprises a plurality of monitors dispersedly disposed in the vicinity of the chip mounter to provide display screens for inputting the letter or numeral, a touch panel attached to each monitor for recognizing a touched coordinate on each display screen and outputting an electrical signal, priority order and release time controlling means for receiving the signals output from the touch panels and recognizing the order of generation thereof, and a multiplexer for receiving the signals output from the touch panels and sequentially selecting and outputting the input signals according to the order recognized by the priority order and release time controlling means.

Abstract: A novel method of text input for pointing devices. In its preferred embodiment, the cursor feedback text input method forms the basis of a novel method of touch tablet typing, which enables a small touch tablet to function as an easy-to-use, general-purpose, computer input device. Text input, pointing, and drawing functions are all provided in a single convenient unit. This general-purpose input device is primarily intended for the newly emerging class of living room computers, for which no suitable input device appears to exist. The main objective of the cursor feedback text input method is to provide a human/computer hardware interface which transparently supports the addition of interactivity to the typical television viewing framework. A novel keyboard array is mapped onto, but not displayed on, the tablet active surface. The alphabet and number set are arranged in their normal order. Touching the tablet displays a preview character in place of the cursor.

Abstract: A high sensitive water entry alarm system which prevents outside noise from falsely triggering the alarm system. A transmitter generates ultrasonic timed acoustic bursts at a fixed frequency when it is submerged in water. A receiver located in the body of water senses for acoustic signals similar in characteristic to the transmitter signal. A comparing circuit coupled to the receiver compares the acoustic signals received by the receiver to a reference signal having the same fixed frequency as the transmitter signal. The comparing circuit also measures the duration of the acoustic signals received by the receiver. The comparing circuit will generate a alarm signal which will sound off an audible alarm only when the acoustic signal received by the receiver has the same fixed frequency and is transmitted in controlled burst at the same timed intervals as the transmitter signal.

Abstract: A maintenance alert device having a memory for storing information relating to the vehicle is disclosed. More specifically, a housing is provided for containing the components of the device, which include a processor for performing various functions programmed into the device, and a memory connected to the processor for storing information relating to the vehicle. This information may include, but is not limited to, maintenance history records and information relating to replacement parts of the customized vehicle systems. The device further includes a wiring harness for receiving signals from the vehicle, and a port for receiving information generated by the vehicle's odometer. The device also includes an input/output port for transferring information to and from the device. In operation, the maintenance alert device generates various maintenance signals after the occurrence of predetermined events monitored by the processor.

Abstract: A vandal resistant light signal unit consisting of a modular integrated circuit arrangement having an insulative circuit board, which has a first broad area layer of conductive material on one side of the circuit board and a second broad area layer on an opposite side of the circuit board. The first layer defines a positive energy plane and the second a negative energy plane. Also, the unit has a plurality of independent series circuits connected in parallel to respective spaced points or nodes on the oppositely located layers of conductive material. Moreover, the broad area layers are connected to opposite sides of a power supply, and these layers constitute an arrangement for resisting vandalism occasioned by projectiles directed at said light signal unit.

Abstract: A method of determining an object's position and associated apparatus provides positional information in a form that may be conveniently communicated to a computer to calculate the object's position. In a preferred embodiment, representatively incorporated in a computer keyboard, a method of determining an object's position includes forming an optical grid of reflected beacons and detecting an obstruction of the reflected beacons. The preferred embodiment apparatus utilizes a single light source and a single light sensor to detect an object's position in two dimensions.

Abstract: A controller with a plurality of tactile sensors and a method of fabricating the controller is disclosed. The controller may be used for one, two or three parameter control in applications requiring manual user control of parameters such as temperature, volume, speed, direction and cursor position on a computer screen. The controller comprises two or more tactile sensors and a computing means. The centers of the tactile sensors are positioned at angles about a common center point. The computing means determines a magnitude and a direction of a resultant force from all the tactile sensors, using the force applied to each tactile sensor and the angle at which the center of each tactile sensor is oriented about a common center point. The configuration enables sensing applied force in two or more directions at angles from a common center point. Another parameter may be controlled based on the total force applied to all of the tactile sensors of the controller.

Abstract: A light display system adapted for mounting on a rotatable member and capable of generating an image visually perceptible in a reference frame fixed relative to the rotatable member. The display system has a base adapted for mounting on the rotatable member for rotation with the rotatable member about an axis of rotation. Plural light arrays are mounted on the base at angularly spaced locations around a center of the base; each light array has a plurality of lamps. A sensor is operable to detect the fixed reference frame and to provide a signal indicative of the fixed reference frame. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor for receiving the signal from the sensor and is operatively connected to the light arrays. The controller is configured for firing the light arrays in predetermined positions relative to the fixed reference frame to form the image visually perceptible in the fixed reference frame.

Abstract: A galvanic cell is formed when ground water within a sump reservoir, tub or other pool, rises to contact electrodes constructed of dissimilar metals, the electrodes mounted in a bridge, with recessing, expansion brackets, to facilitate covering the sump hole and including an alarm device adapted to provide a warning signal should the water level exceed a predetermined level to contact the electrodes. Because an unsealed sump well is the major point of entry of radon gas, an scintillator with associated circuitry monitors the sump well to protect against the undesirable intrusion of radon gas. When the presence of radon is detected, an audible alarm is sounded when the level exceeds 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L.).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an incipient fire detection system that receives gaseous samples and measures the light absorption spectrum of the mixture of gases evolving from heated combustibles includes a detector for receiving gaseous samples and subjecting the samples to spectroscopy and determining wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples. The wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples are compared to predetermined absorption wavelengths. A warning signal is generated whenever the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples correspond to the predetermined absorption wavelengths. The method includes receiving gaseous samples, subjecting the samples to light spectroscopy, determining wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples, comparing the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples to predetermined absorption wavelengths and generating a warning signal whenever the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples correspond to the predetermined absorption wavelengths.

Abstract: An intelligent fire detection system is disclosed which includes a control panel and a plurality of detectors distributed throughout the building being protected. The software of the panel treats the detectors as being in one or more groups. All the detectors in a group can be in the same room. The detectors are set so as to be sensitive to small concentrations of smoke eg 0.3% per meter obscuration. Only if all the detectors in a group, or a predetermined lesser number of the detectors in a group, have smoke concentrations at or above the threshold level does the panel establish an alarm condition. The panel can also establish an alarm condition when the presence in any single detector of smoke at a higher concentration eg 3% per meter obscuration is detected. The system can alternatively include detectors sensitive to other emissions from a fire eg heat, ionized particles or carbon monoxide.

Abstract: An L.E.D. light assembly for traffic arrowboards having an upright oriented lens having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of vertical flutes are formed on said rear surface and a plurality of horizontal flutes are formed on said front surface. Each of these flutes have a left edge and a right edge and when the lens is viewed from the front or rear, the respective viewable intersecting left and right edges of the vertical flutes and horizontal flutes define a grid of four-sided light magnifier modules. This grid has a central core portion of light magnifier modules and a surrounding portion of light magnifier modules. Light from the L.E.D.'s positioned behind the central core portion of light magnifier modules produces a spotlight type of beam along the longitudinal axis of the light assembly. The surrounding portion of light magnifier modules produce a divergent light pattern that is greater in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane.

Abstract: A brake warning system for vehicles with pneumatic air brakes monitors various factors to provide an indication of a pending or actual brake failure condition. According to one embodiment, vehicle brakes are tested by determining a delay time between pressure changes in a control brake line from a treadle valve and the response of the brake. According to another embodiment, brake performance is measured by monitoring applied brake line pressure versus known brake performance values. Measurements are taken with the brakes in a known good condition, during a "training mode," and data is then compared, on a continuous basis, with data acquired by ongoing measurements. The invention provides an on-board, real-time, assessment of vehicle brake performance, through measurement of a relatively small number of parameters.

Abstract: The electronic clinical thermometer of the present invention has a temperature sensing portion (3), a control signal generating circuit (2) for generating a control signal for controlling operation of each of structural elements, a converting circuit (4) for converting an output signal generated from the temperature sensing portion into a digital signal, a temperature measuring section (6) for measuring the temperature based on the digital signal, storage circuits (7) for storing and updating a maximum value of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring section in order. Data comparing circuits (8) are provided for comparing the temperature stored in the storage circuits with a present measured value. Temperature rise detecting means (21) is provided for detecting a rising amount of the temperature based on a compared result of the data comparing circuits, and a buzzer (103) is provided for informing the rise of the temperature based on a signal of the temperature rise detecting means.

Abstract: The alarm circuit uses speed detection so that at a fan slowdown speed below a critical low level, a buzzer alarm starts sounding at a low warning volume and then as the fan slows down further the volume increases; that is, the buzzer volume or the buzzing frequency is inversely proportional to the fan speed. The circuit advantageously can be used for a wide range of fans. A pulse detector of a first stage comparator of this circuit detects the pulses or speed of the fan. More particularly, a power supply isolation resistor with an AC coupling capacitor block the DC voltage levels at the fan so that only the AC or pulse component of the fan is picked up. The isolation resistor prevents the power source from attenuating the pulses. The second stage comparator of the circuit sets the fan speed at which the alarm is to start buzzing and powers the buzzer accordingly. Particularly, the pulses are amplified by the first stage comparator and they periodically discharge a charging capacitor.

Abstract: An input apparatus that allows those who are severely physically handicapped for example to enter characters with comparative ease and minimizes the chance of making error entries.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for directing a computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen, to create a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen for executing commands. The method includes the steps of detecting at least a first portion of a hand positioned on the touchscreen, creating a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen under at least a second portion of the first portion of the hand, such that the virtual pointing device moves in accordance with movement of the second portion of the hand along the touchscreen, and, in response to activating the virtual pointing device by at least a third portion of the hand, executing at least one command.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system for vehicles comprising a pressure activated switch disposed within the steering wheel for activating a transmitter when more than normal pressure is applied to the steering wheel. The vehicle warning system further comprises a warning unit which contains a receiver, a sound generator, and a warning lights. When a driver is faced with a potentially dangerous situation and instinctively grips the steering wheel harder, this causes the vehicle warning system to transmit rf signals to the receiver in the warning unit of the initiating vehicle as well as the receivers in the warning units of other vehicles within a predetermined distance. The transmitted signal causes the warning light to flash and warning sound to be generated from the warning unit in each of the vehicles receiving the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A universal read head for a tank-level float gauge is adapted for use with any of certain different types of gauge rods which may be connected to a float element in the tank, including rods having an optical code thereon including a plurality of alternating reflecting and non-reflecting stripes arranged between magnetic end portions, and a rod with one or more magnets disposed adjacent to each end thereof and longitudinally spaced magnets intermediate the ends. The sensing head includes an LED light source for illuminating the rod and two phototransistors coupled in quadrature relationship for detecting the illuminated optical code patterns, and two magnetic reed switches for sensing the proximity of magnets on the gauge rod. The sensors are coupled to a microprocessor for interpreting the electrical signals generated by the sensors to identify the type of gauge rod being used and to provide an indication of the position of the gauge rod relative to the sensors.