Abstract: Appartus and methods of verifying objects utilize detectable characteristics of a plurality of spaced apart, magnetizable magnetic security regions affixed to the object. Magnetic characteristics for each magnetic region are detected from two different orientations. A verification apparatus senses the magnetic characteristics from two different orientations and compares it to a prestored representative profile previously created. Correspondence between the prestored profile and the currently read characteristics indicates an authentic object. Other objects can be rejected.

Abstract: A paging system allows an on-board radio unit of a vehicle telephone for business use to serve as a repeater as needed. An on-board repeater is mounted on the same vehicle as the on-board radio unit while a portable unit is removably mounted on the repeater. When the portable unit is removed from the on-board repeater, the on-board radio unit functions as a repeater. Even when a person who uses the vehicle on which the telephone is mounted is away from the vehicle with the portable unit, a desired voice message can be transferred to the person immediately.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a multiple part vehicle are disclosed. Apparatus according to the invention comprises a tag on a second part of the vehicle which impresses a unique ID code of the vehicle's existing electrical system. An interface unit in a first part of the vehicle detects the presence of a valid ID code on the vehicle's electrical system and in response provides an indication that the second part of the vehicle is connected. A mobile satellite transmitter provides data indicative of the status of the vehicle to an earth station via a satellite. Vehicle position data is also provided to the earth station with each transmission.

Abstract: There is provided a network monitoring system in which nodes are connected to the LAN as a communication medium using the token passing method and only the node to which the communication right was transferred can acquire the data communication right. The node has a communication right transfer instruction discriminating circuit, provided for each node, for discriminating a communication right transfer instruction sent through the LAN; an LAN monitoring instruction discriminating circuit, provided for each node, for discriminating an LAN monitoring instruction sent through the LAN; and a controller. When one of the nodes discriminates the LAN monitoring instruction from the LAN by the discriminating circuit, controller sets this node into the LAN monitoring mode.

Abstract: An information signal transmitting device which can transmit a large amount of information rapidly and readily with a simplified construction of a reduced size and can be produced at a reduced cost. The device comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit between which an information signal is transmitted using an electromagnetic wave or an ultrasonic wave as a transmitting medium. The movable unit includes a signal receiving means for converting an information signal transmitted from the fixed unit into a binary signal, a shift register for storing an output of the signal receiving means therein, and a signal transmitting means for transmitting one bit of an information signal outputted from the shift register.

Abstract: A LAN system comprises LAN controllers provided for computer systems that constitute a multi-computer system. Each LAN controller has a memory section in which a LAN address common to the multi-computer system is set in accordance with a command from a master computer of the computer systems, and a register section for holding a reception permit command (flag) from the master computer system. Only when the reception permit command is held in the register section, a transmission frame whose destination address is the LAN address held in the memory section is selectively received from a LAN and transferred to the master computer system.

Abstract: A computer interconnect coupler has channel transmitters and channel receivers and logic circuitry for the routing of messages from the channel receivers which are addressed to the channel transmitters. When a message is received by a channel receiver, the channel receiver stores the beginning portion of the message in a first-in-first-out buffer, and sends a route message request to central switch logic. If the destination transmitter or receiver is busy, the central logic places the message request on a destination queue and returns a signal to the requesting source transmitter to turn on a flow control signal which is transmitted back to the data processing device having originated the message. Any message addressed to this data processing device, however, is inserted into the flow control carrier with pauses both before and after the message, and provisions are also made to allow the data processing data to return an acknowledgment responsive to the incoming message.

Abstract: A safety control system for an electrically operated hospital bed utilizes a wireless disconnect signal from an above mounted safety light to an outlet below which supplies electrical power to the bed, thereby to interrupt power to the outlet upon the detection of physical contact with the safety light, as perhaps caused by an IV pole raising with the bed. In a preferred embodiment, a two-way transmission path is utilized to verify no blockage of the line of sight transmission path between the outlet and the light, with power to the outlet being disconnected upon contact with the light or blockage of the line of sight path.