Abstract: A propeller shaft is supported on the stern end of a ship hull by a bearing within which optic fiber cables are embedded in close spaced relation to the outer cylindrical surface of a bearing supported portion of the propeller shaft for a monitoring wear thereof with maximum accuracy. An optical data acquisition system having a light source and a graphic display is operatively connected to the optic fiber cables through inserted optic connector cables to transmit light from the light source as a signal medium into the bearing so as to render the optic fiber cables therein operative as sensors to detect and measure wear of the entire bearing portion of the propeller shaft surface being thereby monitored. Wear measurement optical signals within the wear sensing cables are then transmitted back to the data acquisition system through the optic connector cables for display of the shaft bearing wear measurements.

Abstract: An obstacle discrimination device for a vehicle includes an absorber arranged at a front surface of a bumper reinforce member in a bumper cover of the vehicle, a pressure detection unit, a vehicle velocity detection unit and an obstacle judgment unit. The absorber has therein at least one chamber, in which fluid is sealed. A pressure in the chamber which varies due to a collision of an obstacle with a bumper of the vehicle is detected by the pressure detection unit. A pedestrian is distinguished according to whether or nor the pressure exceeds a threshold value related to a velocity of the vehicle detected by the vehicle velocity detection unit.

Abstract: A mud pulse landing assembly (10) which allows for the removal of the mud pulse generator (16) containing the mud pulse orifice (106), thus creating an unobstructed passageway for any tool or instrumentation that may need to be passed through the drill string. The retainer (14) of the mud pulse landing assembly also provides a universal mount for engaging alternate tools or instrumentation for use in analyzing the borehole geology. The retainer (14) is positioned between the mud pulse generator (16) and the landing sub body, so as to protect the retainer from the turbulent and abrasive mud flow, and to prevent obstruction of the area downstream of the compact muleshoe (60).

Abstract: A system and method for a directional audio train signaling system that comprises a receiver for receiving a signal indicating the approach of a train to a point of interest and one or more directional audio transmitter systems for transmitting a warning related to the approach of a train. A plurality of directional audio transmitters may be used, each with a footprint covering a portion of a roadway approaching an intersection. The receiver may be associated with an acknowledgement transmitter such that a train system confirms receipt of the alarm signal at the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device enabling an alarm to be triggered in the event of a fall into a swimming pool, and preventing false alarms caused by disturbing elements such as the wind. Said device consists of a probe (1) which is submerged in the liquid used to retransmit the aquatic waves varying in pressure in the compression chamber (8), a piezoelectric-type sensor (2) which is located inside said chamber and used to convert the pressure variations into electrical voltage, another identical sensor (3) located in the housing (7) and enabling the electronic card (4) to substract the two sets of information enabling the vibrations, in addition to the noise caused by the wind on the housing, to be eliminated, and an electronic card (4) which is used to control a siren for alerting the parents. The inventive device can optionally pilot a radio emitter (5) for controlling a deported siren.

Abstract: An RFID tag is constructed by pasting a first component and second component together. The first component includes a tabular first base made of dielectric and a metal layer covering one of the front and back of the first base. The second component includes a sheet-like second base, a metal pattern provided on the second base and electrically connected to the metal layer of the first component to constitute a communication antenna, a circuit chip connected to the metal pattern which carries out a radio communication through the communication antenna, and an adhesive material layer which bonds the second base to the other of the front and back of the first base. The metal layer of the first component and the metal pattern of the second component are electrically connected by the conductive component.

Abstract: A self adhesive label including a removable RFID tag. The multi-layer label includes a content label and a base label. A removable portion of the content label includes an RFID tag. An exposable portion of the base label is exposed when the removable portion of the content label is removed. The exposable portion of the base label includes markings substantially similar to markings on the removable portion. A related method includes the steps of permanently applying a label to an article in which the label includes a removable RFID tag; utilizing the RFID tag while applied to the article; and subsequently removing the RFID tag without substantially damaging the label before further transfer of the article.

Abstract: An error condition, fault, defect, obstruction, or defective arrangement of viewing angle is determined in a target security device, such as a motion sensor. A plurality of times a fault is detected in a first security device arranged to sense activity in a first zone, the target security device being arranged to sense activity in a second zone overlapping with the first zone; and the error condition may be determined in the target security device when fault in the target security device is not detected for the plurality of times. The second zone may overlap substantially all of the first zone. The first security device may be a door security sensor, a gate security sensor, a keypad or a motion detector. When the first security device is a keypad or user interface, the fault may be an arm or disarm command or an arm/disarm command cycle.

Abstract: An electronic label (1) is used to mark a container (2, 6). The label includes a radio identification element (RFID, Radio Frequency Identification Device) (10, 11) and which is intended to be placed inside the container (2, 6). The electronic label (1) is specifically adapted to the position thereof inside the container (2, 6). Using the present arrangement, the electronic label (1) is inaccessible and, thus, difficult to destroy or change. In this way, the container (2, 6) is marked in a reliable, even permanent, manner, thereby enabling the information contained on the label (1) to be used effectively to combat theft, forgery or counterfeiting and to manage a deposit system.

Abstract: A temporary or portable traffic signal can be utilized to regulate traffic during power outages. However, when power is restored and the normal operation of the permanently installed traffic signal resumes, then a method of interconnecting the permanent and temporary systems ensures that the operation of the two system are synchronized in predetermined and/or selectable modes of operation. Whenever power is available, an interface detects operation of the permanently installed main system and produces signals that can be used in one mode of operation to direct the portable system to ignore its internal timing sequences and synchronize with the main system, or in another mode of operation to cease its operation.

Abstract: A method of producing idiosyncratic electronic emissions fingerprints from an electronic device is disclosed wherein emissions produced by the electronic device are collected and converted into one or more digital electronic fingerprints. The method contemplates a variety of emissions, such as electromagnetic emissions (including radio frequency emissions) and vibrational emissions (including audio emissions). The emissions fingerprints of various types extracted from an electronic device can be combined into more complex emissions signatures, and/or they can be combined with conventional electronic fingerprints or other idiosyncratic identifying data. A drift-test method for compensation and correction of emissions fingerprint drift is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking movements of participants in a market research study, for example, outside retail establishments, are provided. The methods and systems employ portable monitors carried on the persons of the participants to gather location data.

Abstract: A secondary reader and associated system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a secondary reader obtains and communicates information about a reading of an RFID tag by a primary reader by receiving an RFID signal that is responsive to a signal from the primary reader. In some embodiments, the secondary reader also receives an interrogation signal from the primary reader. In some embodiments, the secondary reader receives information related to the primary reader that may, in some instances, include a security key used to determine whether or not the primary reader is authorized to read the RFID tag. Variations on these and other embodiments are described more fully herein.

Abstract: An aircraft security alarm system uses proximity sensors mounted in adjacent pairs to any access area into an aircraft, The proximity sensors are connected electrically to a battery-powered control box with a miniature LED remote indicator light to identify that the system is activated. When any door or cover over an access area is moved, opened, or otherwise accessed, a switch in one of the pair of proximity sensors detects the movement. The proximity sensor sends a signal to the control box, which in turn triggers a high decibel/high pitch siren/horn that sounds indefinitely until the system is disarmed via a wireless remote control.

Abstract: A military wireless communication terminal includes a global positioning system receiver outputting location information of the terminal, a terrestrial magnetism sensor for sensing azimuth of the terminal, a memory in which map information of an operating area is stored, a location transmitting unit for periodically transmitting terminal location information output from the global positioning system receiver, a radio communication unit for transmitting and receiving signals from a designated originating place, a military force location information processing unit for generating military force location information, an absolute azimuth calculator for correcting sensed azimuth by the terrestrial magnetism sensor and outputting azimuth information, a map information reading unit for reading map information, a location information overlaying unit for overlaying the azimuth information, the military force location information on the read map information; and a display for showing the read map information with the a

Abstract: This invention discloses a sequential two-key system to input letters of the English alphabet and of many world languages, numbers, punctuation marks, page-control characters, line-control characters, cursor-control characters and many other symbols on keypads with few buttons. Character repeating, shifting and control access are feasible. Brief and easy to understand notations are displayed on the keypads. The system is easy to learn and the keypads may be used on portable devices such as PDA, hand-held computers, hand-held text-messaging devices and telephones.

Abstract: A simple crime prevention alarm device for the windows of dwelling houses or the like. The alarm device can be simply and easily attached to and placed on various kinds of objects, such as windows or the like, to prevent crime. The manufacturing cost and the attachment cost are reduced, and further provide a simple alarm device which can be used as an urgent call means.

Abstract: Systems, methods, media, and apparatuses for disabling camera functionality in a portable device are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include establishing a connection with a camera-enabled portable device and transmitting to the portable device a request for permission to disable camera functionality. Embodiments of the method may also include receiving a response from the portable device relating to permission to disable camera functionality. Further embodiments of the method may include, in response to receiving permission to disable camera functionality, transmitting to the portable device a command to disable camera functionality or, in response to receiving an indication that the user refused permission, displaying a notification message.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the improving of ski jump safety comprises a first detector for detecting a skier entering a jump site, wherein the first detector produces a first signal, a second detector for detecting the skier exiting the jump site, wherein the second detector produces a second signal, a processor for processing the first signal and the second signal, wherein the processor produces a message signal, and a communicator for communicating the message signal to a next skier. Also, an apparatus and method for the improving of ski jump safety comprises an exit detector for detecting a skier exiting a jump site, wherein said exit detector produces an exit signal, and a signaller for signalling said exit signal to a next skier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ‘Parking Location Reminder Device’ with means to remind drivers of the location of their parked vehicle. It comprises of housing containing a microphone, speaker and voice recorder; and is constructed in a way such that it can be attached to a vehicle key chain. Drivers record the location of their parked vehicle recorder of the said device using microphone as the audio input means. The parking location of the said vehicle is retrieved by playing back the recorded voice message using speaker as the audio output means. Means is also provided in the said device to record and playback other voice memos. Means is also provided in the ‘Parking Location Reminder Device’ for drivers to record and display/playback still images and/or video of the location of their parked vehicles.