Patents Examined by Glen R. Swann, III
  • Patent number: 5089808
    Abstract: A device giving warning when an undesired lifting position is assumed by a worker preparing to lift an object has a case having a longitudinal axis. A switch is mounted in the case and has operative and inoperative positions and assumes an operative position when the switch is tilted from the vertical beyond a predetermined angle. An alarm is carried by the case and electronic circuitry is connected to the tilt switch and to the alarm for actuating the alarm when the tilt switch is moved from the vertical beyond the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Amsau Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Omar S. Amirdash
  • Patent number: 5087908
    Abstract: A portable security alarm system includes a rechargeable battery and an infrared sensor to detect the presence of an intruder in a protected area. Three time delays are provided to allow the user to exit without setting off the alarm; to allow a legitimate user to disarm the system upon entry; and to limit the time that the alarm will sound. The system can only be disarmed by the entry of a multi-digit code that is kept secret whereas the device can be armed by anyone. The system is specifically designed to be resistant to spurious signals associated with electrical storms and is also designed to minimize power consumption. The system further includes circuitry to shutdown the alarm system when the voltage is low enough to risk damage to the battery. There are indicators associated with system operation including low voltage warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Homes Beautiful Investment & Service Co.
    Inventor: William A. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5086291
    Abstract: A device for sensing the presence of liquids or other substances and warning of potential hazards. The device includes a mat which is constructed of metallized sheets. This mat may be cut to any size or shape on site. A monitor device is electrically connected to the mat and monitors a change in capacitance or resistance of the mat. Such a change is an indication of the presence of unwanted substace. The monitoring device may then either activate an alarm or turn off any electrical device as deemed necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Henry J. Schwab, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5084697
    Abstract: An error-free control circuit for burglar alarm detectors which eliminates false alarms and facilitates setting the sensitivity of the detectors by providing an audible pre-warning signal via some alarm warning device to indicate false alarms and impending violation by a burglar an alarm signal from an alarm upon actual violation by a burglar. When the detector detects a false alarm condition, a pre-warning audible signal is sounded by the alarm warning device for easy sensitivity setting during installation. When the detector detects the sounds of tampering to the car, a pre-warning audible signal is sounded by the alarm warning device to warn the would-be burglar that the premises are protected by an armed alarm. Finally, when the detector detects actual violation of the protected premises, the alarm sounds to scare the burglar away. By this means, an alarm detector can be set to give optimum performance under any condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Hwang
  • Patent number: 5084696
    Abstract: A signal detection system with dynamically adjustable detection threshold includes a signal detection comparator having a dynamically adjustable threshold which adjusts the detection sensitivity of the comparator from a quiescent value to a value which is dependent upon the value of an event trigger signal, thus anticipating the amplitude of a second, confirming event trigger signal. Additionally, an alarm window timer activated by an event signal which exceeds the quiescent signal detection comparator threshold, assures that an alarm activator will be enabled only after a second, confirming event trigger signal exceeds the adjusted detector threshold, and which occurs during the active period of the alarm window timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Aritech Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Guscott, Gerard G. Stelmack
  • Patent number: 5083110
    Abstract: A window alarm system includes a plurality of small, self-contained units strategically located on the window. The units are either spring-controlled or transducer-controlled, and are set to activate an alarm upon the application of a predetermined amount of pressure thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Richard Ahrens
  • Patent number: 5083111
    Abstract: In an electronic article surveillance system, a jamming apparatus is provided for establishing a jamming zone in which tags can be situated and not respond to message signals from a surveillance system transmitter and in which the surveillance system receiver can be situated and still respond to tag signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Drucker, Craig Szklany
  • Patent number: 5083113
    Abstract: An inductive coupled object identification system (FIGS. 2a and 2b) uses inductive coupling to detect and identify objects. Each object includes an object resonance circuit (LT/CT) with a unique object resonance frequency. Base electronics (50) includes an inductive-coupling base coil (L1) coupled to an oscillator circuit (60). To detect an object, the oscillator circuit continually sends START pulses to the base coil. When an object is proximate to the base coil, a START pulse is inductively coupled to the object resonance circuit, causing it to resonate at the object resonance frequency. This resonance condition is detected by the oscillator circuit, which outputs an oscillation signal FREQ at the object resonance frequency. Frequency counting logic (70) is used to determine the object resonance frequency, allowing a microcomputer (80) to identify the object. Two embodiments of the object identification system are described: a dynamic embodiment (FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Slawinski, Richard A. Houghton, George L. Brantingham
  • Patent number: 5081445
    Abstract: Electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags are attached to articles of merchandise, not at the stores using EAS equipment, but in conjunction with the manufacture of these articles. At that stage, the tags are not detectable by the EAS equipment. They are made detectable upon receipt by an EAS-using store. For swept frequency RF EAS equipment, the tags are initially provided with two capacitors which make the tags resonant at a first frequency not detectable by the store's EAS equipment. To activate them, one capacitor is disabled, thereby making the tags resonant at a different frequency which is detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Gill, Anthony F. Piccoli
  • Patent number: 5081447
    Abstract: Apparatus for influencing a person preferentially to sleep on his side and not on his back. A gravity actuated sensor apparatus is attached to a sleeping person for detecting body position and to sound an alarm informing the person when he is resting on his back; thereby enticing the person to sleep on one side or the other and not on his back. Appropriate circuitry connects the sensor apparatus and alarm so that the alarm is actuated in response to the sensor apparatus detecting an undesirable body position. The sensor apparatus is positioned on one's head, or alternatively, is positioned on one's body. The alarm can be sensed by a sleeper to thereby induce the sleeper to move to an alternate position whenever he attempts to rest on his back for more than a few seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Wilford R. Echols
  • Patent number: 5081444
    Abstract: An anti-tamper device in an automotive vehicle test system monitors an access panel to the automotive vehicle test system. An alarm is actuated if the access panel is opened. The automotive vehicle test system tests automotive vehicles and prints certificates which verify test results. The access panel is unlocked following the completion of an automotive vehicle test so that an operator can gain access to a printer to retrieve a printed certificate. The test system monitors the condition of the access panel even if power is removed from the automotive vehicle test system. A large capacitor provides power to monitoring circuitry. A data latch, powered by the capacitor, latches the condition of the access panel. The alarm is sounded when power is returned to the automotive vehicle test system and the condition of the latch indicates that an access panel has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Bear Automotive Service Equipment Company
    Inventors: William D. Nicholson, Thomas M. Fudali, Robert T. Braun, John C. Pendell, Michael J. Brown
  • Patent number: 5079541
    Abstract: An electronically and visually detectable diaper or article of apparel is used in a system and method for detecting the unauthorized movement of an infant from a secure area in a hospital. The diaper may have electronically detectable indicator tags embedded therein that are detectable by a transmitting and receiving unit positioned adjacent openings to the secure area. The diaper may also include a visually conspicuous appearance to defeat attempts to thwart the electronic detection system. The indicator tags may be positioned in perpendicular planes so that the transmitting and receiving unit may detect the diaper, regardless of the diaper's orientation as it passes through the transmitting and receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas O. Moody
  • Patent number: 5079540
    Abstract: A theft detection tag is formed from first and second sections which define a loop for receipt of an article part and which are connected by a coupling adapted to be quickly activated so as to change the loop and thereby permit quick attachment and release of the tag and article. In a first form of the tag, the first tag section includes a body having an upper end and the second tag section includes wedge means movable within the body to form the loop with the upper body end. In a second form of the tag, the first section includes a flexible member having at one end teeth and the second member includes a body with a channel for receiving the one end of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Narlow, Arjen Koch
  • Patent number: 5079542
    Abstract: An abnormal temperature detector for an electronic apparatus includes a plurality of temperature detectors, an abnormality detector, and a power supply controller. The plurality of temperature detectors are arranged at least at one detection point of a rack, of an electronic apparatus, in which a plurality of wiring boards having IC elements mounted thereon are housed, and respectively output detection outputs when a temperature at the detection point becomes a preset temperature or more. The abnormality detector detects that detection outputs are output from all the temperature detectors at the detection point. The power supply controller interrupts a power supply of the apparatus in response to an abnormality detection output from the abnormality detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Umezawa
  • Patent number: 5079539
    Abstract: A storage case comprising a case body having two or more storage parts into which CDs or recorded cassettes are inserted respectively, sensors detecting said CDs or said video cassettes taken out from said storage parts, a counter integrated by signals from these sensors, and an indicator part indicating an integrated value from this counter. This structure enables said storage itself to manage the rental of said CDs or said video cassettes, which leads to a very easy confirmation of the rental volumes without using conventional technical know-hows such as unopened seal or the likes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Shigeru Hatori
  • Patent number: 5077549
    Abstract: In a passive infrared intrusion detection system, a signal responsive to infrared radiation received from optically divided zones of an area to be monitored is integrated to produce an integral sum. The integral sum is used to generate an alarm indication. The alarm indication is thereby responsive to the energy of the signal responsive to the infrared radiation received, thus improving sensitivity of the detection system without increasing susceptibility of generating a false alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventors: Shmuel Hershkovitz, Pinhas Shpater
  • Patent number: 5077550
    Abstract: The presence of a flame from a burner is determined by analyzing the signal produced by a radiation sensor aimed at a burner. Specifically, a Fourier transformation is applied to the signal producing amplitude values for a spectrum of component frequencies produced by changes in the power of the flame over time. A logarithmic value is derived for each of the amplitude values. The degree of linearity of the distribution of the component frequency logarithmic amplitude values provides an indication of the flame presence. Several parameters, including integrated linear error, linearity regression correlation and slope difference, provide an indication of the degree of linearity. A plurality of values for each of these parameters are produced during an interval of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Cormier
  • Patent number: 5075671
    Abstract: A portable, personal alarm system (A) which incorporates a loud audio alert (19, 9/10) that, when engaged, is unable to be removed from the user, or terminated without the cooperation thereof. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a small, hand-held alarm system having a strap (5) with a locking mechanism for securely affixing the system to the user, compressed gas containment or electrical power for providing a loud audio horn alert, a locator light (4) for signalling the location of the user in dark areas, and a mechanism for selectively locking the horn alert in the "on" operating position which cannot be reactivated without unlocking the strap, which uses a precoded combination type lock. In use the push button (3) end (24) is placed within the palm so that the push button lies right under the fingers, with the main body (1) extending up along side of the inner side of the wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: Robert Livingston, III
  • Patent number: 5075670
    Abstract: A signalling tag of the type used in house arrest systems has a tamper detection device for detecting removal of the tag from the monitored person. The signal is set to a tamper condition upon removal. The tamper detector can only be reset to the normal state by a reset signal which incorporates a characteristic of the signal sent by the tag. This provides enhanced protection against attempts by the monitored person to defeat the system through unauthorized resetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Digital Products Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Bower, Ronald C. Davies
  • Patent number: 5072213
    Abstract: A merchandise security system sensor encloses a microswitch operated by an overtravel actuator projecting from the sensor housing. The microswitch is adapted to be electrically connected to a monitoring system which generates an alarm signal in response to a change of state of the microswitch. Attachment of the sensor to a protected article operates to depress the microswitch actuator and places the microswitch in a first state. Unauthorized removal of the sensor from the article releases the actuator causing the microswitch to revert to its initial state thereby triggering the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Marcia Israel
    Inventor: Leo R. Close