Abstract: A siren alarm on an emergency vehicle or a like warning vehicle, for transmission forwardly over a limited range along the vehicle path, of a broadcast band carrier wave modulated with a siren signal with break-in possible for voice modulation of the carrier, with the carrier frequency rapidly and continuously repeatedly swept over the broadcast frequency band, both in the AM broadcast band and FM broadcast band, thereby to produce in other vehicles, having standard broadcast radio receivers in operation, a warning signal or voice communication; optionally with warning vehicle speed responsive control of the transmitter output power for establishing a transmission range proportional to the warning vehicle speed.

Abstract: An emergency signal transceiver for a disabled vehicle for generating a repetitive pulse signal, digital apparatus for producing a pulse signal from such a received repetitive pulse signal for actuating buzzer and light alarm displays, apparatus for alternatively switching the pulse signal generator to provide input to a transmitter and the digital apparatus to derive the output of a receiver.

Abstract: A method of predicting the approaching stall of an aircraft wing which is dependent on an inherent characteristic of the airflow as the stall is approached. The method described uses a hot-wire probe which measures the turbulence of the airflow at a predetermined location on the top surface of the wing. When the turbulence exceeds a threshold, which threshold is dependent on the air-speed, a signal is produced which indicates that a stall is imminent. The method can be particularly applied to an artificial stall warning device fitted to a transport aircraft.

Abstract: The detection of events such as illegal entry detection, or the occurrence of predetermined hazards are detectable by a system including a circuit loop 2 which incorporates event actuatable switches 1, 35, 37, 38. Each switch has associated therewith means (9, 36, 37a, 39) for both maintaining electrical continuity in the loop, following operation of the associated switch and for producing an electrical condition in the loop which is indicative of switch operation. A control circuit 7 is arranged to respond according to the condition produced and produce an alarm characteristic of the condition.

Abstract: A safety circuit which connects a condition responsive circuit to a cyclic signal detecting circuit. In order to provide the cyclic signal detecting circuit with a continuous cyclic input, the condition responsive circuit and a cyclic redundancy checker is provided. The cyclic redundancy checker identifies a specific series of logic bits from the condition responsive circuit and responds favorably only to that series of logic bits. If any other series of logic bits occurs, the cyclic redundancy checker of the system ceases to function, thereby causing the cyclic signal detecting circuit to cease to function and it in turn opens a series contact to deenergize a critical load in a control system.

Abstract: A keyboard crosspoint encoder and a method of operating it which provide N-key rollover. The encoder has an information storage device. The matrix of crosspoint switches is scanned to determine the status of each switch and this information is stored in an array in the storage device. This array is checked to determine if a phantom switch condition exists. The encoder then provides an output of all newly-closed switches which are not involved in a phantom switch condition.

Abstract: Twenty-five capacitive keyswitches 16a-e are arranged in a matrix having five row conductors 12a-e and five column conductors 14a-e. A series of five pulses are fed to each row conductor 14a-e in succession through AND gates 41a-e controlled by a counter 34. Each time a row conductor 12a-e is pulsed, all of the column conductors 14a-e are scanned. When one of the column conductors 14a-e is scanned, the associated coupling transistor 54a-e is turned on and the associated discharge transistor 50a-e is turned off. The remaining coupling transistor 54a-e of the remaining columns 14a-e are off and the remaining discharge transistors 50a-e are on.

Abstract: A miniature sounder having a diaphragm closing one end of a tuned chamber. The other end of the chamber communicates with the interior of a tuned housing. The chamber and housing are both tuned to the desired oscillating frequency of the diaphragm with the chamber resonant frequency comprising substantially three times the desired frequency and twice the housing resonant frequency.

Abstract: An inductively coupled sensing circuit for use on a common cable communications system is disclosed. When used in conjunction with transceivers on a common cable system, the circuit is capable of both detecting signals and determining the direction of any colliding signals while the transceiver is operating. An inherently balanced bridge is created by coupling the transmitter lead between two elements of the sensing circuit. Each receiver is provided with means for determining the polarity of the sensing circuit, thereby determining the direction of any incoming signal. The use of this sensing circuit in a common cable system allows a hierarchy among cable users to be created thereby optimizing cable use. A left or right priority is determined by the polarity of an end signal transmitted at the end of each transmission.

Abstract: A cueing device for use in providing a visual cueing signal to a performer, including a plurality of visual indicators arranged adjacent each other for providing a visual cueing signal in accordance with the actuation of individual ones of the plurality of visual indicators. The individual ones of the visual indicators are individually controlled and with the visual indicators controlled by sequential actuation to provide sequential visual signals serving as a visual cueing signal to a performer. The entire cueing cycle is initiated by an input signal.

Abstract: A device for facilitating non-verbal communications between individuals. The device includes a two-sided panel containing a plurality of message blocks which are selectively illuminated by the individuals in a variety of modes. In a first mode, the message blocks are sequentially scanned in one of two patterns, with scan direction and termination being controlled by actuating a switch. In a second mode, a transparent, direct select keyboard is placed over the message blocks and individual message blocks are selected by touching the keyboard in front of the block to be selected. Finally, the position of the illuminated message block may be controlled by a job stick. The message blocks on the panel are printed on removable overlays which are specially adapted for various situations. The overlays carry identifying markings which are automatically read by the device so that the messages on the overlay, which are stored in non-volatile memory, can be correlated to their position on the panel.

Abstract: The remote control switch apparatus has an instruction switch provided on a steering wheel to project toward the inside of a passenger compartment away from an instrument panel of the car so as to indicate a driving condition. A transmitter is installed at the steering wheel to generate a radio wave signal or radiation signal in response to the instruction switch and a receiver, provided on the instrument panel, receives the radiation signal and generates a control signal.

Abstract: A single channel continuous wave transmitter and receiver to produce a control signal to change the direction of the drive motor of a toy such as a model car having steerable wheels. A single electric motor provides the propulsion for the toy in one direction through the engagement of a planetary gear with a primary drive gear. The planetary gear is mounted on a rotatable ring surrounding the drive gear. When the direction of the motor is changed, the driver gear on the motor which is meshed with the planetary gear causes the planetary gear and ring to rotate until the planetary gear engages a secondary drive gear thereby changing the direction of travel of the vehicle. The rotational movement of the ring is also used as an actuator mechanism. This actuator mechanism is coupled to a cam that is in return coupled to the steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic pace timing device whereby a physically perceptible pace timing signal can be repetitively generated, and whereby the repetition frequency of this pace timing signal can be set into the pace timing device as a numeric value, by actuation of external operating members. No calculations are performed in order to convert the numeric value specifying the repetition frequency of the pace timing signal into an actual pace timing signal, so that the overall circuit configuration can be very simple.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight and inexpensive emergency power pack to be hooked up to the lighting system of a vehicle trailer, such as a semi-trailer, camper, mobile home or the like, for the purpose of flashing all or some trailer lights on and off while the trailer is unhitched on the side of a road so as to warn passing motorists of its presence. The device includes a battery, an on-off switch, a flasher and an illuminating light. The case for supporting the battery and other components is made of a unitary, molded plastic piece, and includes a cylindrical housing on one side thereof that contains an adapter plug for connecting to a mating plug in the vehicle trailer. Auxiliary warning lights may also be strung from a special connector on the unit, while an alternate embodiment may be utilized in the shop to test the various electrical systems on the trailers.

Abstract: A capacitive touch panel control provided with first and second conductive circuit pads on opposite faces of a thin dielectric sheet in the form of a film secured to a dielectric panel by adhesive. The panel is provided with a touch pad. The circuit pads are disposed so that at least a portion of each is in appositional facial registration with the touch pad and out of appositional facial registration with each other so as to provide a variable capacitance between the circuit pads as an incident of selective touching and non-touching of the touch pad by a user. The circuit pads may form a portion of a printed circuit on the film which further includes electrical conductors for making connection to associated apparatus. Ground conductors may be provided on the film adjacent the output voltage conductors of the circuit to reduce leakage between the circuit conductors.

Abstract: A multiplex security system provides two-way data communications between a local panel and multiple microprocessor-based remote panels interconnected over a common data transmission line. A second line provides two-way voice communications between the local and remote panels with automatic forwarding by an audio/data control selector to a central control unit via a single telephone line. Two additional lines provide a common ground and transmit DC power from the local to the remote panels. The remote panels include bus drivers connected to the communications line for transmitting both ASCII digital data messages and a higher voltage request or SRQ signal to the local panel when the remote panel has a message to transmit. The local panel includes two separate receivers for distinguishing the request signal from digital data and a bus driver for transmitting data. The local panel transmits a grant message which is superimposed over the request signal, reducing its voltage level to zero.

Abstract: A flasher unit for buoys, beacons and the like for flashing an incandescent lamp in a required sequence of short and long flashes having short or long eclipses between flashes. A counter is provided having a number of counts equal to the number of flash-eclipse pairs required. A timing pulse generator is selectively controlled to produce timing pulses during each count that are temporally spaced in accordance with the flash-eclipse time durations during each count. Certain ones of the timing pulses serve to clock the counter. Lamp control pulses are generated during each count for energizing the lamp for the preselected time duration. A sync pulse is generated at the beginning of every flash and a second pulse during the first flash in a sequence. These pulses are externally available and are communicated to other flasher units for synchronization. The unit will also synchronize to incoming sync pulses. A photocell circuit inhibits flashing during daylight periods.

Abstract: A security system has a locality station sensing security risks such as fires, electrical faults and break-ins, being powered by a single line from a central station. The loading on the power supply is determined by logic circuits to give direct remote indications of the security state at the locality station. The power supply is a square wave which is altered in waveform to give alternative commands to the locality station, e.g. to sound a warning or to operate a fire sprinkler, while continuing to supply power. To enable maximum use of the single line and single square wave, the latter is treated as two separate signals in that loading by the locality station is selective as regards the polarities. Similarly the alternative commands available are doubled by using separate control of the durations of the positive and negative square wave portions, while continuing to supply power.

Abstract: A traffic light construction which provides a signal of a high luminous intensity, a gradual brightness variation over a cover glass and a considerable suppression of phantom phenomena. The traffic light has a parabolic reflector having a depth of about its focal length and a converging lens smaller than the cover glass. The lens produces a parallel light beam, which is incident on the central portion of the cover glass which is outside the reach of the parallel beam formed by the reflector.