Abstract: A compressed air system includes an air dryer which includes a desiccant for drying compressed air passed through the desiccant before the compressed air is received in a storage reservoir. A humidity sensor is installed in the system downstream of the desiccant for measuring the relatively humidity of the air after it passes through the air dryer. A control module is programmed such that if the humidity level increases above 80%, a timer is started. If a time period of several hours elapses without the humidity level decreasing below 50%, a depleted desiccant and/or a system malfunction is indicated, and an appropriate warning device is actuated.

Abstract: A process and circuit device for the deactivation and subsequent proof of a resonance label which has a resonant circuit with a certain Q factor and a certain frequency. The resonant circuit is energized with and disabled by a deactivation energy during deactivation. During deactivation, time is divided into a continuous alternating sequence of first and second time periods which directly follow one another. A transmission antenna transmits a deactivation energy during each of the first periods of time in the form of a sequence of separate deactivation impulses to cause the resonant circuit of the resonance label to oscillate in a resonant mode. The height and the width of each of the deactivation impulses and the number of the deactivation impulses within the impulse sequence are such that the impulse sequence delivers sufficient energy to deactivate the resonance label. The transmission is stopped and the transmission antenna is disabled for each of the second periods of time.

Abstract: A pair of temperature detection devices having different heat time constants and an active device having a predetermined bias are connected in series. The bias is set so as to cause the active device to operate in a saturated region if the temperature is higher than a dangerous level, and to operate in a triode region if the temperature is lower than the dangerous level. The temperature detection devices are chosen so as to cause the voltage generated at the junction of the temperature detection devices to be higher than a predetermined reference voltage if the temperature has been raised to the dangerous level when the temperature is raised slowly, or if the temperature is raised rapidly, even if the temperature is lower than the dangerous level. A constant temperature function and a differential function are generated to detect that a fire has taken place.

Abstract: A security circuit includes a power supply and one or more modular switch units and a modular alarm unit. Each modular unit includes two standard multiple-conductor telephone jack sockets, with at least one conductor of each socket connected to the circuitry of the unit, with all of the other conductors of one socket being respectively directly connected in-line to the corresponding conductors of the other socket. The modular units are interconnectable with standard telephone connector cables having modular telephone jack plugs mateable with the sockets. The power supply may be a battery which may also be provided with modular telephone jack sockets. Alternatively, the circuit may be powered from the RS-232 serial port of a personal computer, the telephone connector cable being coupled thereto through a standard adapter. Different versions of switch units and alarm units are disclosed. Series circuits are terminated with a spiral terminator plug.

Abstract: The system includes optical detectors, a control microprocessor, and an alarm. The detectors optically detect the presence of cartons within the shelf exit openings and emit carton-present signals upon such detection. The microprocessor is responsive to the signals and activates an alarm when a preselected detector signal pattern is observed. In the preferred embodiment, the alarm patterns include four signals within 15 seconds or one signal having a duration of 6.5 seconds.

Abstract: This detector comprises a variable radio frequency oscillator (1) producing a first electrical signal, a transmission circuit (3) with a capacitive antenna to which said first signal is applied, a reception circuit (6) forming, with the transmission circuit (3), a selective coupler for picking up a second electrical signal at the frequency of the oscillator, and a circuit (9) for comparing the phases of the first and second electrical signals and producing an output signal in response to a variation of the phase shift between said signals due to the presence in the surroundings of the antenna of a foreign body to be detected.The detector further comprises a feedback circuit (13) driven by the output signal of the comparison circuit (9) and controlling the oscillator (1) in order to make the frequency of the first signal vary in the sense which tends to cancel out said variation of the phase shift.

Abstract: An identification marking system for objects involves giving each object its own electronic name tag. The electronic name tag can be specific amount of ferrite material that has been added to the object. An electronic reader system then measures the effect said object has on an identifying circuit as the object passes in close proximity to the identifying circuit. The measured effect is then compared to a pre-established value. The value on the electronic reader system becomes the electronic name tag for this specific object. It is not necessary to add ferrite to the objects to be identified. Most materials have a measurable effect on a variety of electronic circuits. An electronic name tag may well be established by simply placing an object in the vicinity of a particular circuit and measuring the results. The results are then compared to a pre-determined set of values. The results of this comparison will provide an electronic name tag for this specific object.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring an item within a defined area and sounding an alarm if the item is removed from the area. A transmitter and transducers emit ultrasound which substantially saturates the area to be monitored. A security tag having a detector and alarm is attached to the items to be monitored within the area. Sensing circuits may be additionally provided to determine whether a security tag is being tampered with or removed by an unauthorized person. The security tag's alarm is sounded in the event that the receiver does not detect the ultrasound indicating that the monitored item is no longer in the monitored area. Additional alarms may be provided for indicating that the security tag has been tampered with or removed.

Abstract: A transilluminated optical fiber is placed adjacent to an infant's respiratory moving parts using an elastic fabric. Use is made of the effect that moving the fiber causes a modulation of the intensity of the transmitted light to monitor the infant's breathing pattern to avoid S(udden) I(nfant) D(eath) S(yndrome).

Abstract: Movement or removal of a display object placed on a base is detected by a switch mechanism for closing an electrical circuit, having an elongated plunger and a device for maintaining the throw length of the switch mechanism substantially constant and independent of the distance the plunger is depressed upon setting of the alarm. Detection of extremely short plunger travel is enabled without special adjustments in the plunger length. A "tilt" switch may be added for added sensitivity. A plurality of bases, each with its own switch, may be grouped with a single signalling device to provide an alarm system. Portions of the circuitry may be grouped in modular form for introduction into the base housing.

Abstract: A batteryless, portable, frequency divider includes a first resonant circuit that is resonant at a first frequency for receiving electromagnetic radiation at the first frequency; and a second resonant circuit that is resonant at a second frequency that is one-half the first frequency for transmitting electromagnetic radiation at the second frequency; and a circuit element electrically connecting the first resonant circuit to the second resonant circuit.

Abstract: A micropump supervisory control method and apparatus having various functions, such as annunciation and safety measures. The control method and apparatus accurately control trace discharge rates through adjustment of the number and frequency of driving pulses for a piezoelectric valve element. In addition, the control method provides discharge, life-prediction and life-expiration warning, and operation acknowledge alarms and annunciations while driving the micropump, each having a predetermined sounding pattern. Micropump functions are also inhibited when a power source is reconnected.

Abstract: An operating unit for the manual control of a plurality of functions of different apparatuses, especially for hospitals or hotels, has a modular design and comprises a box-like main module and at least one slat-like submodule. At least one device, the function of which is controlled by manual key operation, is arranged in or at the main module. Accessory devices can be arranged within the submodules. The unit is characterized by comfortable handling and great versatility.

Abstract: A monitor (10) includes a transducer (20) registered with a pump (22) for generating electrical signals reflecting the status of the pump (22). The output of the transducer (20) is conditioned by a pump monitor circuit (16) to indicate the status (18) of the pump (22) and for subsequent delivery to an alarm processing unit (C) and alarm condition (D). The monitor (10) reports both normal and abnormal pump (22) conditions.

Abstract: A tamper-sensing system for an electronic tag 10 which is to be fixed to a surface 11 of an article 12, the tamper-sensing system comprising a capacitor having two non-contacting, capacitively-coupled elements 16, 19. Fixing of the body to the article will establish a precise location of the capacitor elements 16 and 19 relative to each other. When interrogated, the tag will generate a tamper-sensing signal having a value which is a function of the amount of capacity of the capacitor elements. The precise relative location of the capacitor elements cannot be duplicated if the tag is removed and affixed to a surrogate article having a fiducial capacitor element 19 fixed thereto. A very small displacement, in the order of 2-10 microns, of the capacitor elements relative to each other if the tag body is removed and fixed to a surrogate article will result in the tamper-sensing signal having a different, and detectable, value when the tag is interrogated.

Abstract: A medical pumping system has a supply tube (2), an outlet tube (6), a readily sterilizable, disposable cassette (3) connected to the tubes and engaged with the pump, and means (22,24) such as a motor-driven piston, for intermittently applying pressure to the cassette. The pumping system features a display and switch means (9, 10) on a front panel thereof, a pressure sensor (28), an optical fluid presence sensor (19), and a microprocessor (20) metering the volume of fluid pumped through said cassette (3), monitoring output signals from said sensors (18, 28), controlling the motor-driven piston in accordance with settings entered via said switch means (9,10), and directing output data to said display means (8). The microprocessor has a stored program for performing SET RATE, RUN, HOLD, VOLUME FED, and CLEAR VOLUME functions.

Abstract: A personal protection system is provided, which consists of a band to be worn around a wrist of a person. A first mechanism is for producing an audio signal and is disposed in the band. A second mechanism is for powering the first audio signal producing mechanism and is disposed in the band. A third mechanism is for manually activating the second powering mechanism and is disposed in the band. A fourth mechanism is for keeping the band closed around the wrist of the person and is disposed in the band. A fifth mechanism is for manually deactivating the third manually activating mechanism and for opening the fourth band closing mechanism simultaneously.

Abstract: A fire alarm which consists of a housing, an alarm assembly and a switch assembly. A driving spring in the alarm assembly is used for storing driving energy. As soon as a nylon string in the alarm is burnt and broken, the driving spring will drive small hammers to hit a bell cup to send out a warning signal to warn people that a fire is taking place. At the same time, a switch is closed to actuate an electric alarm to provide a persistent alarm as long as electric power is available.

Abstract: A portable unit indicates the precise time to close a fireplace damper door. The unit comprises a housing including a power source, and an electronic circuit, and an external heat sensor. The arrangement is such that the heat sensor is placed near the firebox and senses that a fire has been lit by the heat given off. The electronic circuit then stores this information and waits until the heat is no longer present. At this time, a fire extinguished indication is displayed, and a time delay circuit activated. If a fire is restarted before the delay circuit times out, the fire extinguished status is cleared and the process started over. If a fire is not restarted, and the delay circuit does time out, then a audible indication warns that the fireplace damper can now be manually closed to save energy.

Abstract: A pin tumbler lock barrel assembly is capable of preventing the lock from being operated by the use of a skeleton key or any other tool inserted into the key slot. The lock is comprised of an improved hollow lock casing having a key plug located therein and a specially designed sleeve that surrounds the lock casing that is relatively rotatable with respect thereto. The sleeve is comprised of two halves that are interconnected by spring-loaded fasteners. A crescent-shaped slot is provided on the key plug and is aligned with two radial through bores formed in the lock casing and one of the sleeve halves. An alarm system includes a switch assembly on the periphery of the sleeve which is aligned with the radial bore. A specially designed sliding element with a cam-shaped end surface cooperates with the lock casing allowing only the correct key to operate the lock mechanism.