Abstract: Method and apparatus (2) of a vehicle for alerting a driver of a vehicle when the vehicle deviates from a predefined driving area in a lane. The apparatus includes an image display unit (6) and a control unit (5) connected to each other to enable the apparatus to provide a visual warning via the image display unit when the vehicle is outside the predefined driving area and where the visual warning is displayed in the form of a solid or broken line on the side of the image display unit (6) that corresponds to the side of the vehicle where the deviation occurs.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a series of devices designed to scare away Great Blue Herons, raccoons, and other common koi pond predators through a combination of a motion detection system which triggers an auditory and/or movement response from a variety of common enemies of koi pond predators and fanciful creatures intended to frighten koi predators. The invention teaches the combination of the motion detector with the koi predator enemy replica, such that a koi pond user can economically and efficiently protect his/her pond without adversely impacting the visual appeal of a koi pond.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security device for attachment to an electrical cord. The device includes a housing assembly having an exterior housing and an interior housing. The interior housing having means to securely attach the plug inside the interior housing. The device also includes an exterior housing for inwardly receiving the interior housing and the attached plug. The interior housing snap locks into the exterior housing to provide a locking non-removable engagement therewith. Additionally, the housing has means to provide a tight engagement of the plug with the housing assembly.

Abstract: A gas detector and method of operating the gas detector that includes a carbon monoxide sensor and a processor. The carbon monoxide sensor senses an environmental concentration of carbon monoxide and provides the sensed value to the processor. Upon receiving the value of the carbon monoxide level (COppm), the processor determines an alarm threshold level based upon the COppm level. Once the alarm threshold level is determined, the processor calculates the COHb percentage for the current COppm reading based upon a derived, fixed point equation. The processor activates an audible/visual indicator when the sensed COHb percentage exceeds the alarm threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound-reproducing transducer (60) connected to a printed circuit (50). This transducer (60) has the shape of a hollow cylinder whose cylindrical wall (66) delimits two circular faces, one front face (66c) and one rear face (66d) that are opposed and planar. The transducer (60) comprises at least one diaphragm (64) that makes it possible to convert electric signals into sound waves and conversely. This diaphragm (64) is a circular membrane parallel to the front face (66c) and rear face (66d) of the transducer (60). The diaphragm (64) delimits two distinct volumes in the transducer (60), the first volume being bordered on one side by the circular face (66c) of the transducer (60) and on the other by the diaphragm (64) while forming a front acoustic cavity (61), and the second volume being bordered on one side by the circular face (66d) of the transducer (60) and on the other by the diaphragm (64) while forming a rear acoustic cavity (62).

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide drying procedure information through a user interface. A monitoring device transmits drying procedure data measured by sensors within a structure undergoing the drying procedure to a server. In response to requests received through a communication network from a user interface, the server transmits the drying procedure information that is presented through the user interface. A variety of information and services related to the drying procedure may be provided through the user interface.

Abstract: A lane departure warning mirror for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a reflecting member and a supporting member that supports the reflecting member on an area of a vehicle within a driver peripheral vision area, wherein the reflecting member is disposed so that an edge mark in a detection area is mirrored to the driver's peripheral vision area.

Abstract: Transponder technology is incorporated into the blades of a wind turbine to make it possible to transfer data wirelessly from each said blade to the associated tower. By providing a transponder including an RFID device in or on each of the blades and providing a reader/receiver in or on the tower support of the wind turbine, the reader/receiver can detect the operative RFID devices and/or read data from the RFID devices as the blades pass the tower.

Abstract: The invention is a versatile school bus traffic control system. When power is first applied, or the RESET pushbutton is pushed, it is set to its quiescent state. Pushing the MODE ADVANCE pushbutton switch will advance to the next state: flashing alternating yellow traffic control lights. The next push of MODE ADVANCE will advance the system to: flash traffic control lights, one side red and the other side yellow, next, the complementing red and yellow. This is repeated for approximately three seconds, next, automatically advancing to only alternating red traffic control lights flash, until MODE ADVANCE is again pushed. The invention then returns to quiescence. Optionally, the invention will reset, and or not respond to MODE ADVANCE if the school bus is in motion.

Abstract: A search apparatus and related method facilitate the final stage of a search for a buried person carrying a transmitter. When the searcher is in the close vicinity of the buried transmitter, the search enters a point-localization phase where the apparatus displays a representation of the current target distance from the apparatus to the buried transmitter as well as a representation of a previously-stored value for the target distance. By comparing the current distance to the previously-stored distance, the searcher can readily see whether the apparatus is getting closer to the buried transmitter or further away. Preferably, graphic symbols are displayed to represent the current distance and the previously-stored distance. The display can also provide a representation of whether the current distance is greater than or less than an immediately preceding distance that has been stored.

Abstract: An anti-theft device includes a sensing device for attaching to an entrance of a house building and for sensing whether the entrance of the house building is pried by an unauthorized person or not, and a counterattacking device for counterattacking the unauthorized person when the unauthorized person breaking the entrance of the house building. One or more containers may receive an attacking agent and a pumping device may pump the attacking agent out of the container via one or more nozzles which may be rotated by a rotating device, an agitating device may agitate the attacking agent received in the container. A receptacle may be attached to the house building for supporting the container.

Abstract: A horn switch assembly (26) is mounted on inner surface (28) of airbag cover (16). Horn switch assembly (26) includes a sensor (30) coupled to cover (16), and a load and rate sensing device (32) arranged to interact with sensor (30) and with a vehicle horn. Deflection of outer surface (18) of airbag cover (16) applies a force to sensor (30). Deflection of outer surface (18) of airbag cover (16) may be caused by an operator action of pressing on airbag cover (16). In which case, the increase in the magnitude of the force on sensor (30) will be rapid, and load and rate sensing device (32) will cause the vehicle horn to sound. Alternatively, deflection of outer surface (18) of airbag cover (16) may be caused by shrinkage of airbag cover (16) due to an ambient temperature drop. In which case, the increase in the magnitude of the force on sensor (30) will be slow, and load and rate sensing device (32) will not cause the horn to sound.

Abstract: An automatic traffic monitoring system for enforcing traffic laws and regulations and for general purpose traffic monitoring includes a novel passive road sensor that accurately detects the kinematics of moving vehicles. A passive road sensor includes a detector protected in an enclosure, which is embedded in a road opening, is in a continuous listening mode. When the wheels of a passing vehicle come in contact with either the road opening, the enclosure, or both, the resulting mechanical impact generates a disturbance that triggers the detector. A processor unit of the automatic traffic monitoring system records the signal sensed by the detector and analyzes its temporal characteristics to determine the precise time of impact.

Abstract: A tire pressure drop detecting method, capable of accurately detecting whether the pneumatic pressure of a tire has dropped even if a large driving torque is exerted on the tires. The rotational angular velocities of tires provided for a vehicle are detected and a front/rear acceleration of the vehicle is detected, and then it is discriminated whether the vehicle is in a predetermined decelerated state or not, based on the detected front/rear acceleration of the vehicle. If the vehicle is in the predetermined decelerated state, it is judged whether the pneumatic pressure of the tires has dropped, based on the detected rotational angular velocities. The pneumatic pressure drop of the tire is judged only when the vehicle is in the decelerated state where a difference between the rotational angular velocity of the tire at the time of pneumatic pressure drop and that at the time of a normal inner pressure is relatively large.

Abstract: A force sensing touchpad comprises a substantially rigid touch surface; a substantially rigid frame; a plurality of spring structures formed integrally with the touch surface and mechanically connected to the reference frame; and a circuit for deriving force information from capacitances proportional to the distances between predetermined portions of the touch surface and portions of the frame in response to a force applied to the touch surfaces.

Abstract: A small puff of air is periodically exhausted through a semi-permeable stainless mesh (23) filter upward through the plane of the roadway surface. The puff of air is created by a miniature air pump (14) and timer, typically On one half second and Off 30 seconds. The timing can be adjustable. The puff of air is delivered to the sensor (20) through hose (5). When ice on pavement has formed over the sensor (20), it blocks the release of the air puff. This causes pressure to build up, triggering the pressure switch (16) which then turns on output switch (17) which can then be used to turn on any number of warning devices.

Abstract: An electronic component failure indicator for clearly visably indicating on the surface of an electronic component to be tested a self sustaining indication of the functional operational status of the component. It is used for easily locating and identifying the exact used electronic component that has failed while it is still in a circuit and also later after it is removed from a circuit without the need of test equipment and electrical power. It includes an electronic testing circuit which continually monitors one or more parameters of the electronic component other than temperature. Upon a determination that one or more parameters has deviated from a normal condition, the test circuit generates an appropriate signal. This in turn causes a visable change in an indicator that is visable on the surface of the electronic component being monitored. In some embodiments, this may constitute a color change of the indicator, and in other embodiments, it may cause a bending or movement of the indicator.

Abstract: A system for selecting a called subscriber is provided in a telephone switching network for selecting a called subscriber from a plurality of called subscribers who desire to be selected and has a memory for registering identifying information on called subscribers, such as telephone numbers and passwords, in a table arranging the identifying information in the order of count numbers, and a selector for selecting a called subscriber from the called subscribers registered in the memory by a selecting subscriber who makes a call to the network for starting count in a counter provided in a processor and sends a stop signal to the network for stopping the count and producing a counted number for selecting the called subscriber.

Abstract: Before starting the communication, a frequency characteristic measuring signal is outputted from a frequency characteristic measuring apparatus 9 to measure the frequency characteristic. Next, a frequency characteristic of a filter is set up based on the frequency characteristic obtained as a result of measuring by means of a digital filter 8. With this configuration, it is designed not to leave an echo signal even if this two-wire to four-wire switching exchanger is connected to any two-wire communication lines.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring signals from a linear or rotary encoder or scale to provide a warning of a malfunction of the encoder or to be able to predict a future malfunction. The system includes a feedback circuit for comparing the output of the detector in the encoder with a voltage reference and for either raising or lowering the voltage to the light source for maintaining constant maximum detected light amplitude regardless of dirt build-up on the scale with the amount of voltage correction to the light source being an indicator of the level of functioning of the encoder. The system also assures constant amplitude output signals from reflectance-type encoders in which the light source and detector are on the same side of the scale and in which the subject servo system maintains a constant amplitude reflected beam.