Abstract: An apparatus for detecting intrusions into spaces of various kinds such as apartments, offices, lockers, and the like by either authorized or unauthorized persons apparatus monitors a specific portal for intrusion occurrence events using an intrusion sensing unit, which communicates intrusion occurrence information to a remote, and possibly hidden monitor unit. The monitor dynamically counts the number of valid intrusion occurrence signals received from the sensing unit and stores the same in non-volatile memory. The number of intrusions stored in memory can be displayed on a display means at the monitor unit, which, in a simple embodiment would take the form of a single, seven segment light emitting diode (LED) display. In addition, the number of intrusions stored in the non-volatile memory can only be reset by the input of a unique, coded personal identification number (PIN) signal from an input keypad located on the monitor unit.

Abstract: A structure-bone sound detector suppresses unwanted signals in a frequency range to be monitored, to enhance the immunity of the detector to false alarms. The output signal from a sound sensor undergoes preprocessing, and is then fed to a pair of comb filters that are connected in parallel. The comb filters have mirror image filtering characteristics. The filtered output signals from the two comb filters are provided to a minimum value stage, which selects the smaller of the two output signals. This selected signal is further processed to detect an alarm condition. With this arrangement, broad band signals of interest will produce approximately the same outputs from each of the two comb filters, and therefore be passed on for further processing. In contrast, a narrow band interference signal will be suppressed by one of the two comb filters, and therefore not selected for further processing.

Abstract: An Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) marker is adapted for direct application to optically recorded media such as compact disks, CD-ROM's, laser disks, digital video disks, and the like. The marker includes a support sheet and one or more marker elements which are positioned such that the mass distribution of the marker is symmetrically disposed about the center of the marker. This ensures that when the marker is properly positioned on the optically recorded media, the marker does not adversely affect the mechanical balance of the media.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system includes a signal generator for generating an interrogation signal in an interrogation zone, an antenna which receives a signal present in the interrogation zone, and interference cancelling circuitry for cancelling interference components in the signal received by the antenna. The interference cancelling circuitry includes a hybrid interference component cancelling loop in which a digital interference estimate signal is formed and converted into an analog estimate signal, and the analog estimate signal is subtracted from an input analog signal. The resulting difference signal is processed with a hybrid automatic gain control loop. A digitized signal, formed from the resulting difference signal, is subjected to digital interference cancellation processes in addition to the hybrid interference component cancellation process.

Abstract: A wireless boundary monitor system used to monitor the integrity of a boundary surrounding an area uses at least two housings having at least one transmitting means for emitting ultrasonic pressure waves to a medium. Each of the housings has a plurality of receiving means for sensing the pressure waves in the medium. The transmitting means and the receiving means of each housing are aimable and communicably linked. At least one of the housings is equipped with a local alarm means for emitting a first alarm indication whereby, when the pressure waves propagating from a transmitting means to a receiving means are sufficiently blocked by an object a local alarm means or a remote alarm means or a combination thereof emit respective alarm indications. The system may be reset either manually or automatically. This wireless boundary monitor system has useful applications in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Abstract: A security system includes a pressure sensing circuit for generating an electrical signal in response to changes in pressure and a signal processing circuit, connected to receive the electrical signal, for determining whether the electrical signal represents an intrusion pattern. A pressure sensing circuit generates an electrical signal in response to changes in pressure and a trigger circuit for determining whether an intrusion has occurred by determining whether a peak of the electrical signal has an amplitude that exceeds a floating amplitude threshold, wherein the floating amplitude threshold compensates for ambient noise in the enclosed area. A monitor mode measures intrusion data in a specific enclosed area and determines security system thresholds in accordance with the measured intrusion data.

Abstract: A sleep detection and driver alert apparatus has a compact housing that can be placed around the rearview mirror or on the dashboard. It contains all lenses and electronic detection mechanisms for monitoring the effects of early impending sleep by means of an infrared auto-focusing, digital, image stabilizing lens with zoom capability. Additionally, the unit contains an added infrared thermal sensor for the monitoring and evaluation of different ambient temperatures around the facial areas of the nose and mouth. These temperature changes will be that of the exhaled gas plume of normal breathing patterns, which will lower in volume as the driver begins to hypoventilate, thus increasing their blood level of carbon dioxide which is in most part the reason for early drowsiness associated with sleep.

Abstract: An antitheft security tag is used in combination with an article surveillance security system. The antitheft security tag comprises a tagging part to be tagged to an article, formed by looping a two-core cable having two insulated copper wires or the like, a connecting part formed out of a cable, to be connected to the article surveillance security system, a joining part for joining the tagging part to the connecting part, and a resistor contained in the joining part and connected in series to the wires of the two-core cable forming the tagging loop. One end of the connecting part to be connected to the article surveillance security system is provided with a connector to be connected to the article surveillance security system. The article surveillance security system monitors the resistance of the antitheft security tag for article surveillance and detects unauthorized tampering with the antitheft security tag through the detection of a change in the resistance of the antitheft security tag.

Abstract: A system which allows the firefighter to monitor a variety of safety related parameters during firefighting activities through audible and/or visual means. The system of the present invention monitors the pressure in the firefighter's breathing system and also monitors ambient temperature and motion of the firefighter. An audible alarm is activated to indicate a potential emergency situation relating to low remaining air time, impending thermal breakthrough or lack of motion of the firefighter.

Abstract: Firing of small arms results in a muzzle flash that produces a distinctive ignature conducive to automated or machine-aided detection with an IR (infrared) imager. The muzzle flash is intense and abrupt in the 3 to 5 .mu.m band. A sniper detection system operating in the 3 to 5 .mu.m region must deal with the potential problem of false alarms from solar clutter. The invention reduces the false alarm rate of an IR based muzzle flash or bullet tracking system (during day time) by adding a visible light (standard video) camera. The standard video camera helps detect (and then discount) potential sources of false alarm caused by solar clutter. If a flash is detected in both the IR and the visible spectrum at the same time, then the flash is most probably the result of solar clutter from a moving object. If a flash is detected only in the IR, then it is most probably a true weapon firing event.

Abstract: An electronic refrigeration and air conditioner monitor and alarm system monitors air conditioning and refrigeration systems for inefficiencies that waste energy. The device monitors and analyzes the temperatures of the suction line of such systems for variances that indicate malfunctions or abnormal operation of the system. The device provides both an audible and visual alert to warn the end user that the equipment is in need of maintenance and/or repair.

Abstract: A movement monitor and stimulator may prevent death in human infants from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent medical studies indicate a SIDS victim's breathing may be resuscitated by immediate stimulation. The sound and/or movement monitor and stimulator may have a base member configured as a fluid-filled sensing pad for supporting an infant and a transducer for detecting movement or acoustic activity (e.g., heart beat, breathing, voice and motion sounds). A stimulator may move the base member to stimulate movement in the object when output from the transducer corresponds to no sound and/or movement from the object, or indicates a dangerous change in monitored condition, such as the decrease in metabolic rate indicative of the onset of sleep. The stimulator may also be applied in a more gentle fashion to soothe and quiet an infant that has been awakened unexpectedly. The transducer may be a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid interior of the sensing pad.

Abstract: A generally square mounting plate for attaching the cover of an audible-visual alarm to a backbox includes a plurality of openings along each side of the plate. The openings are configured and positioned to accommodate the mounting bolt placement of various standard backboxes, including 4-inch, international, single-gang and double-gang backboxes. Indicia are provided on the front of the plate to guide the installer in the correct assembly of the plate to the backbox to provide a desired orientation of a feature of the alarm, advantageously a strobe unit. The alarm generating components, e.g., a strobe unit and/or an acoustic transducer, may be carried either by the alarm cover or by the mounting plate.

Abstract: A tamper indication system for use with combination locks can indicate or signal that unauthorized manipulation of one or more of the lock components has occurred. In one mode, the tamper indication system senses unauthorized retraction of the lock bolt. Unauthorized movement of the lock cover or combination dial can also be sensed. Sensing can be achieved by generating a mechanical action responsive to the unauthorized manipulation and converting the mechanical action into an electrical signal for sensing and indicating. The mechanical action can utilize a snap action motion generation system, non-contact means such as magnets or a spring biased switch.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for communicating with the operator that of an image forming device which reduces the probability of error in acquiring a replacement consumable and which alerts the operator as to the proper disposal of the exhausted consumable. The invention utilizes status sensors within the printing device to sense when a particular consumable is exhausted or nearing exhaustion. The printing device automatically prints a hard copy page for the operator informing the user of the status of the particular consumable and corrective action to be taken. This is accomplished by a firmware implementation within the image forming device where in addition to, or in lieu of, a traditional low level status light indicator, the low level sensor sets a flag within the firmware program of the printing device which causes one or more pages of information to be printed from the image forming device.

Abstract: A device and a related method of operation of the device for continuously monitoring the progress of a steeping beverage during the steeping process is disclosed which provides an indication to the user when the steeping beverage has reached an adjustable, desired level of steeping to thereby enable the making of a consistently steeped beverage without requiring the steeping operation to be timed or otherwise closely monitored. The device optically monitors the steeping beverage by using a photo diode to detect light from an LED which passes through a fixed measurement aperture immersed in the steeping beverage. By determining when the passage of light through the measurement aperture has decreased to a predetermined level indicative of both the color and the strength of the steeping beverage, an alarm may be provided to indicate that the beverage has steeped to precisely the strength desired.

Abstract: The interior of an automotive vehicle is monitored for incursion by launching primary sound wave pulses into the interior of the vehicle and picking up the primary sound wave pulse together with superimposed reflection and sound signals generated by incursion, etc. The picked-up sound waves are transformed into electrical signals which are decomposed in an A/D converter into a time sequence of digital measurement vector elements which in turn are compared with reference elements by a subtraction process to produce a different vector. Summation of the positive terms of the difference vector and summation of the negative terms of the difference vector to produce positive and negative sums allow the sums to be combined to form a gradient which is added to previous gradients to provide a gradient sum. The alarm is triggered when the gradient sum exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The difference between the temperature of a heat exchange medium leaving the evaporator unit of a chiller and the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator unit is monitored relative to a real time alarm limit for this temperature difference. The real time alarm limit is computed from time to time by a microprocessor. The value of the computed alarm limit will vary with the cooling load being experienced by the chiller's evaporator unit.

Abstract: A tamper detection device can determine whether a housing containing a device has been tampered with either by having the housing penetrated or by an attempt to remove a cover from the housing. The tamper detection device may be a capacitor which is placed across a portion of the housing and whose capacitance changes if it is penetrated. The temper detection device may also be a flexible circuit having conductive strips thereon forming a circuit with means to cause an open circuit if the housing is penetrated or the cover removed from the housing.

Abstract: A battery operated combination burglar alarm and door chime is mounted to the inside of a door. The alarm mode is capable of being armed from either side of the door. A dead bolt slide cooperates with a plate fastened to the door frame to manually arm the device from the inside with the door closed. A plunger slide also cooperates with the plate fastened to the door frame and a mode selection switch to effect either a chime mode or a delayed alarm mode when the door is opened. The delayed alarm mode being activated with the door open to permit pre-arming the device followed by automatic arming of the device when the door is closed. Depending upon the alarm mode of operation selected, unauthorized opening of the door can either lock the door and instantaneously sound an alarm or sound an alarm after a predetermined time when the door is opened. A combination switch deactivates the alarm and chime modes and another switch can alter the combination.