Abstract: A personnel locator system for monitoring the locations of classes of pernel. Members of classes of personnel carry portable, infrared transmitters which transmit pulse trains during discrete burst periods. Transmitters carried by members of different classes of personnel transmit pulse trains of different, predetermined frequencies to identify the classes, and transmit the pulse trains during distinct burst periods to prevent phase synchronization between pulse trains transmitted by the different transmitters. Infrared receivers are positioned to receive the transmitted pulse trains in order to monitor the continued presence locations of the members of the classes of personnel. The system utilizes pulse trains having pulses of short pulse widths during a relatively long time period in order to allow increased battery life while transmitting at high energy levels to saturate the area of reception. The pulses are of less than 40 microseconds during a 55 millisecond time frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting and for recognizing impacts by measuring changes in impedance. The device comprises a sensor (6) and an external electronic system (10) which permanently monitors the impedance of the sensor. After a learning period, the electronic system records the impedance of the apparatus at rest, after which, whenever the sensor is subjected to an external action (9), its impedance varies at a certain rate of change, thereby enabling the electronic system to detect the derivative of the rate of change of the impedance, or in a different application to detect the pure change in impedance, and transmit a signal to a user (16).

Abstract: A low cost verbal annunciator which uses a plurality of inexpensive cassette tape players in a central monitoring and control panel is disclosed. Each tape player has an individualized endless cassette tape for playing particular messages over a public address system in response to the occurence of particular monitored conditions. One embodiment for use with a plurality of unique sensors for monitoring a wire manufacturing process is disclosed.

Abstract: A security system for electrical appliances and other items with electrical circuitry includes a signal source operating within a predetermined zone. A receiver within the appliance or other item receives the signal and activates a circuit thereby permitting operability of the appliance or other item when the signal is received. The appliance or other item is disabled upon removal from the zone.

Abstract: An overhead socket smoke detector with a theft alarm includes a case with a bulb base at one end and a lamp socket at an opposite end and connected to the bulb base by a socket switch which is closed by a lamp received in the socket to electrically activate the socket. The case has a cylindrical diameter to fit within a can light fixture. Smoke alarm circuitry is mounted within the case and includes a smoke sensor circuit, a trigger circuit, and a sounder circuit. A unit removal or theft switch connected to the trigger circuit includes a switch operator extending through the bulb base to engage a socket into which the case is threaded. A rechargeable battery and a battery charger are connected between the bulb base and the alarm circuitry and provide power to operate the alarm circuitry. When the unit is removed from its fixture, the unit removal switch disengages the fixture socket and triggers the sounder circuit into activation to deter removal of the unit from the socket in which it is mounted.

Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle of the type including an automatic transmission having a plurality of shift positions and an ignition switch. The system includes a push-button module adapted to be positioned in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle proximate the vehicle operator and including a plurality of push buttons corresponding respectively to the transmission shift position. Electrical logic means are provided to move the transmission to the shift position corresponding to the shift position selected by depression of the specific push button and an enunciator lamp is associated with each push button.

Abstract: A magnetic marker is formed from a magnetic material having a hysteresis characteristic which is such that upon subjecting the material to an applied alternating magnetic field, the magnetic flux of the material undergoes a regenerative step change in flux at a threshold value when the field increases to the threshold value from substantially zero and undergoes a gradual change in flux when the field decreases from the threshold value to substantially zero. For increasing values of applied field below the threshold, there is substantially no change in the magnetic flux of the material. The aforesaid hysteresis characteristic of the marker is achieved by causing the material to have domains with a pinned wall configuration. Deactivation of the marker is realized by disabling the pinned walls from returning to their pinned condition via application of a deactivation field of high frequency and/or amplitude.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for the sonic transducer of a directional Doppler fish-finder includes an elongate tubular control arm and a clamp assembly for attaching the control arm to the side of a boat so as to extend along and pivot about a generally vertical axis. The upper end of the control arm includes a pivotally mounted control lever, and the lower end includes a pivotally mounted transducer mounting plate to which the transducer is attachable. The control lever and the mounting plate are interconnected by a pair of cables extending through the tubular control arm, whereby pivotal movement of the control lever causes pivotal movement of the mounting plate about a generally horizontal axis. Pivotal movement of the mounting plate about both the vertical and horizontal axes enables a fisherman to direct the sonic signal of the transducer in a locus of directions representing semispherical coverage of the water about the boat.

Abstract: A personal security communication system provides an indication that a worker may be incapacitated. The system may be configured as a buddy system comprising first and second portable units (100 and 200) acting as a pair (98). Each portable unit (100 and 200) produces status information and transmits data messages containing encoded status information to the other portable unit (200 and 100). The encoded status information includes a transmitting unit indentification number and alarm condition information produced by manual alarm switches (104 and 204) and sensors (102 and 202). The sensors (1102 and 202) may include a motion sensor (45) or a motion and position sensing switch (10) that produce motion and lack-of-motion signals that are encoded in the status information.

Abstract: A station is provided with an external industrial container-shaped shell having a window therein for admitting the passage of a monitoring beam therethrough. The preferably infrared beam is initiated by a beam transmitter having a lens aimed at a corresponding beam receiver in a second station, the stations being adapted for employment in pairs. Interruption of the beam by either an intruder passing between the pair of stations or tampering with a barrel causes a signal to be transmitted to a remote alarm. The housing is designed to be inconspicuous so that an intruder will not locate the station and thereby avoid detection.

Abstract: A remote control transmitter contains on a circuit board (3), which is rigidly connected to the transmitter housing (1) of the remote control transmitter, a positional-deviation switch configuration (17), which in the event of an angular deviation of the circuit board (3) and thus of the remote control transmitter beyond a particular trigger angle (a.sub.o) from a particular given or instantaneously determined reference operating position generates an output signal designating the direction of the positional deviation. In a signal converter (5) of the remote control transmitter, this direction-dependent output signal is converted as a control command into a transmission signal, and emitted via a transmitter element (4) of the remote control transmitter to a remotely controlled electrical appliance.

Abstract: An automatic appliance includes a diagnostic system, wherein a user is alerted to request servicing for major operational errors, and error data is stored for later retrieval by service personnel. A special overlay template is provided for the service personnel to execute special routines via standard operational parameter input keypads of the appliance.

Abstract: Generally there is provided a cabinet alarm device having a protruding switch lever arm arranged such that it is held open during closure of a cabinet door, but is allowed to close when the cabinet door is opened. The switch is pivotally mounted and urged toward its closed positionby a spring under tension, such as a rubber strip or O-ring fixed to the switch arm and alarm case. This switch controls power to the electronic circuit which includes two oscillator and two controlling comparators. A first oscillator drives an annunciator at a preset high resonant frequency, while a second oscillator operating at a low frequency pulsates the tone. A first controlling comparator circuit operates to disable the tone circuit after a fixed time delay to allow an audible battery check during that delay but preventing further tone unless the circuit is energized for a longer period.

Abstract: A fire detector having a first sensor for emitting a first output signal in response to a fire phenomenon, a second sensor for detecting a source of false alarm conditions generated by man and/or machinery and an evaluating circuit. The evaluating circuit has a mechanism for activating an alarm signal when the value of the output of the first sensor exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is set by the second sensor in response to the detection of signals generated during normal use of the premises to be protected.

Abstract: A system for disabling and protecting a particulate detector (10) as necessitated by many building, construction, and maintenance projects is disclosed. The particulate detector (10) is typically mounted on a ceiling or vertical wall surface (12), and a jacket (22) is secured to a body portion (16) of the particulate detector (10). The jacket (22) includes a non-opaque plastic container (24) with an opening (34) on one end and being substantially sealed elsewhere. A flag (26) attaches to the container (24) and hangs downward when the jacket (22) is installed on the particulate detector (10). Moreover, an opening control device (28) couples to the container (24) near the opening (34) thereof to control the size of the opening (34) so that the particulate detector (10) may be substantially inserted into the jacket (22) and so that the jacket (22) may be secured to the particulate detector (10).

Abstract: The invention comprises a signalling device for reminding a person to follow certain eating habits. The device acts to sound an alarm at certain timed intervals in conjunction with the placement of a utensil upon the device to indicate to the person when he is eating too fast or without suitable interruption. The device has a photo cell at a convenient location on top of the device to receive the utensil so that the utensil will block out the light and cause the photo cell to react, in turn causing the circuitry of the device to react. If the operator removes the utensil from the photo cell for each bite and replaces it at that location, the device acts to regulate the amount of time the operator has the utensil away from the photocell presumably to take a bite and regulate the amount of time the utensil must be left on the photo cell between each bite.

Abstract: A currency alarm pack especially adapted for use in the cash supply of an automatic teller machine comprises a motion detector, an exit field detector, a smoke generating device, and electronic circuitry, responsive to the motion detector and the field detector, for triggering the smoke generator if, and only if, the field detector detects the exit field and thereafter ceases to detect the exit field, and the motion detector detects motion of the alarm pack during a predetermined delay interval following the time at which the field detector ceases to detect the exit field.

Abstract: A signalling gauge may utilize a non-captivating, magnetically actuated switch element which is mounted in an influence zone of a path of a magnet carried by an indicating pointer of the gauge. The gauge may operate despite the presence of dust, dirt or other pollutants for an extended period of time without inducing sparks or arcing often associated with electromechanical contacts. Hall effect switch elements such as latches or digital switches may be utilized as a switch element for signalling to drive an audio or visual alarm or a digital signal.

Abstract: Two wheatstone bridge circuits, each having detectors in the form of strain gages in the arms thereof, are connected to carry out detection of entry into the perimeter of the detection area such as the main deck of a boat. Each of the wheatstone bridge circuits has a strain gage mounted on the underside of the main deck or therein in a corresponding one of four areas of the perimeter being secured so that two strain gages of the system carry out intruder detection by imbalance of the corresponding bridges when an intruder enters an area. Each bridge circuit has an amplifier connected to receive the corresponding bridge circuit output and an AND logic circuit voltage output controls activating triggering of a monitor circuit when both bridge circuits are imbalanced. Each amplifier is adjustable so that individual bridge circuit sensitivity is possible to compensate for environmental and operating conditions on the main deck of a vessel or boat.

Abstract: An electronic signal and alarm protection proximity device is disclosed which may be strapped by a band assembly to a person's appendage or a permanent part of a piece of equipment. The instant invention transmits a signature encoded RF signal distinguishable from others to be monitored by an appropriate receiving station. When the device is taken out of range of the station or the band is severed the design is such that the signal at the receiving station is no longer received and an indication is thus had that the person or the equipment to which the device is or was secured may be leaving the allowed range of proximity and thus a search or other measures may be immediately initiated.