Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for providing a desired warning signal for a lighting unit. A coded warning system is provided employing a detection module (320) and a signal generating module (330), wherein the detection module is configured to obtain information regarding the detection of one or more operating parameters of the lighting unit and the signal generating module generates a desired warning signal (331) selected from a plurality of warning signals, upon determination that one or more of the operating parameters are abnormal operating parameters. Each warning signal of the plurality of warning signals is indicative of a specific abnormal operating parameter or a known combination of specific abnormal operating parameters.

Abstract: A system of communicating vehicle detection is provided. The system may include a probe having at least a probe controller and a magnetic sensor for detecting the Earth's magnetic fields, and a control system having a main controller, an output port and a two-wire interface for communicating with the probe. The probe controller may be configured to quantify detected magnetic fields into a sensor output value per iteration at a predefined frequency, and initiate an interrupt per iteration the sensor output value is determined to exceed a predefined sensor value. The main controller of the control system may be configured to communicate a supply signal to the probe over a first line of the two-wire interface, monitor a return signal from the probe over a second line of the two-wire interface for interrupts, and generate a call signal on the output port indicative of confirmed vehicle detection if the number of consecutive interrupts in the return signal exceed a predefined interrupt limit.

Abstract: A vehicular observation and detection apparatus and system incorporates a detection framework using video analysis to differentiate between motorized vehicles and bicycles for improved traffic flow and safety at intersections. The detection framework creates virtual zones overlaid on lanes of a roadway and analyzes input data representing objects in the virtual zones collected from one or more cameras positioned at or near the roadway.

Abstract: A method for interleaving time slots in a multi-antenna system for communication with RFID tags is disclosed. An example is shown for an eight antenna system. A first four antennas arranged side-by-side are sequentially energized to interrogate RFID transponders. A second set of four antennas arranged side-by-side, the first of which is adjacent to the last of the first set of antennas. A four-antenna sequence is performed for the first four antennas and a second four antenna sequence is performed for the second set of antennas. The first and second four antenna sequences are offset by only a marginal amount, sufficient to ensure that a transponder signal received four antennas away from an active antenna is not acknowledged because the receive window for the non-active antenna is delayed.

Abstract: The mechatronic locking apparatus comprises a control circuit (4), from which information signals can be transmitted to a control circuit (6) of the lock cylinder (2) using a first communication path (5). A security key (3) has at least one second communication path (7) for storing and/or processing access data. The two communication paths (5, 7) are connected to said control circuit (4) of the security key (3). The first communication path (5) preferably uses an electrical contact in the lock cylinder (2). The second communication path (7) comprises a transponder (8). The first communication path (5) may also be used for power supply purposes.

Abstract: An RFID module including an antenna element forming an RFID antenna; an RFID circuit block to which the antenna element is connected; and a first resonance frequency adjustment circuit having an element that includes a drain terminal connected to the antenna element, a gate terminal that is grounded, and a source terminal that is grounded, wherein a pull-up resistor is connected between the drain terminal and a power supply.

Abstract: A miner's personal gas alarm can be mounted in a helmet powered by a rechargeable battery for a light or be self-contained. A visual indicator will generate an alarm when the concentration of gas detected by the gas sensor triggers an alarm condition. An audio alarm can also be generated by the alarm condition. The gas sensor is a non-dispersive infrared (“NDIR”) gas sensor. When the gas sensor detects methane, the alarm condition is triggered by either an abnormally high rate of increase of methane concentration level or by an elevated concentration of methane that is above approximately 500 ppm and substantially below a lower explosion limit of methane (e.g., approximately 10,000 ppm), and the gas sensor is recalibrated whenever the sample concentration of methane falls below an ambient threshold level of methane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for remotely identifying a motor vehicle (2), including means (3) for remotely communicating with the associated vehicle (2). The device comprises means (4) for querying the state of charge of at least one vehicle battery and means (6) for receiving said state of charge.

Abstract: An intrusion detector comprises a housing including a cover and baseplate mounting a circuit board. The cover and baseplate are removably mountable to a base. A motion sensor and bracket are mounted to the circuit board. The cover has a lower lookdown window. A lookdown enable/disable actuator extends from a rear side of the circuit board and is accessible through the baseplate. The actuator is operable to move a door pivotally mounted to the bracket between an on position to enable a lookdown function and an off position to disable the lookdown function. The detector is normally mounted on a wall by securing the base to the wall. The cover and baseplate can be removed from the base. A screwdriver can be used to turn the actuator. The cover and baseplate can then be remounted to the base.

Abstract: A system for determining motion of a tagged article may include a tag detection sub-system, a traffic pattern determination sub-system, and a monitoring sub-system. The tag detection sub-system is configured to output tag data regarding movement of the tagged article with respect to a tag detector proximate an exit portal of a location. The traffic pattern determination sub-system is configured to output traffic data regarding movement of an individual with respect to the exit portal of the location. The monitoring sub-system may include a correlation module configured to compare the tag data with the traffic data to accurately determine one or both of motion or path of the tagged article.

Abstract: A method of locating, tracking, distinguishing and identifying people and pets as survivors or non survivors in the aftermath of a natural or manmade disaster, the method includes the use of illuminated displays such as flashlights, illuminated beacons, smart phone screens and/or computer screens. In one exemplary method, the illuminated displays are set to a particular color and flash pattern to distinguish between men, women, children, pets and whether they survived or not. When an alert is issued people prepare as they normally do but add one step: Tag or equip themselves and others with the illuminated displays set to the appropriate setting so that responders can utilize the night to locate the illuminate displays now recognized as indicators of people so they can better plan first light rescue operations.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector determines the presence of smoke particles outside its housing based on measurements of light detected at different wavelengths and corrected based on an ambient light level.

Abstract: A computer process is disclosed for assessing the risk of theft or loss of electronic devices in particular locations. The risk assessments may be based on data regarding reported theft and/or loss events, and based on data regarding current locations of user devices. The risk assessments may be used to generate location-based alerts.

Abstract: Provided are methodologies to properly assess and manage operational risks at operations sites, e.g., a manufacturing, production or processing facility, such as a refinery, chemical plant, fluid-catalytic-cracking units, or nuclear energy plant, or a biological or waste management facility, airport or even financial institutions, or at any facility in which operations are often accompanied by risk associated with many high-probability, low-consequence events, often resulting in near-misses. In some operations, processes are monitored by alarms, but the invention operates on either process data or alarm data. The methods are based upon measurement of one or more variables, and/or utilization and management of the concept of “hidden process near-miss(es)” to identify a change or escalation, if any, in probability of occurrence of an adverse incident. The methodologies combine a plurality of subsets (also useful independently) of dynamically calculated leading risk indicators for dynamic risk management.

Abstract: A capacitor having air dielectric between its plates may be used to detect the presence of smoke and other contaminants in the dielectric air passing over the plates of the capacitor. Smoke from typical fires is mainly composed of unburned carbon that has diffused in the surrounding air and rises with the heat of the fire. The permittivity of the carbon particles is about 10 to 15 times the permittivity of clean air. The addition of the carbon particles into the air creates a change in the permittivity thereof that is large enough to measure by measuring a change in capacitance of the capacitor having the air dielectric through which the air laden carbon particles pass through.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having at least one solar panel, a battery rechargeable by the at least one solar panel, and a computer system including one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs. The program(s) generate a list of parking locations, determine which of the one or more parking location provide sun exposure, and recommending at least one parking location to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: An automatic door sensor includes: at least one sensor module unit (sensor module 11) configured to detect optically an object or a human body and to output, according to the detection results, a signal to a door controller for controlling an automatic door to open/close; an accommodation unit (profile 12) capable of accommodating the at least one sensor module unit; a cover member (front cover 13) that is transmissive to light for use for the detection performed by the sensor module unit and configured to cover the accommodation unit in which the sensor module unit is accommodated; and a functionality expansion module (LED module 14) either side of which can be joined to the cover member and that is configured to expand functionalities of the automatic door sensor by performing communication with the sensor module unit.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting phase separation in storage tanks is provided. At least one float has a density calibrated to detect a density differential among surrounding fluids. The float is buoyant on a relatively more dense lower layer of fluid such as phase separated fuel or pure water, while remaining submerged in a relatively less dense upper layer of fluid such as a gasoline/ethanol blend. A detection device sends a signal when the float rises or falls above or below a preset acceptable level.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for saving battery service life by preventing false alarms when a tracked asset is intentionally removed from a base safe-zone. A portable safe-zone beacon may create a portable safe-zone by broadcasting signals similar to a transmitter within a base safe-zone. A tracking device may employ a relatively low-power short-range radio transceiver to receive safe-zone broadcasts. If the tracking device does not detect safe-zone broadcasts before a timing counter expires, the tracking device may activate a high-power, long-range transceiver and transmit an alarm message via a wireless network. The tracking device may distinguish between transmissions of the portable safe-zone beacon and a transmitter of the base safe-zone and may operate differently based on being within different safe-zones. In response to receiving broadcasts, the tracking device may transmit response messages to the portable safe-zone beacon. In an embodiment, devices may relay data to and from the tracking device.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.