Abstract: A vandal-resistant push-button actuator which may be utilized in a vandal resistant, remotely programmable voice communications unit capable of being programmed for automatically calling predetermined telephone numbers. The vandal-resistant push-button actuator employs a push-button, a push-button mounting device having a passageway therein for slidably receiving the push-button, and first and second axially spaced apart seals between the push-button and the passageway. The seals absorb transverse blows to a raised portion of the push-button and a lubricant may be disposed between the seals to prevent an adhesive inserted by a vandal from disabling the actuator. The raised push-button actuator may be disposed inwardly of an escutcheon and shaped to form a concave, ring-shaped surface therewith, thus to inhibit damage to the inner surface of the escutcheon from a hammer blow.

Abstract: A call processor (49) contains a service node/intelligent peripheral service creation environment (58) to create a service logic table (56) to store call processing instructions. A service logic executive (54) accesses the service logic table (56) and executes the call processing instructions in response to a received data package. Call processor (49) can operate in slave mode to provide call processing resources to a service control point or in autonomous mode to deliver a specific calling service, such as voice mail.

Abstract: An outbound call management capability is provided for a public switched telephone network by a network based outbound call management (NOCM) complex, which can be accessed by all subscribers to the public switched network through one or more central offices in the network. A predetermined list of telephone numbers is stored in a data base in the NOCM complex for each subscriber who uses the NOCM services. The telephone numbers are automatically dialed at one or more predetermined scheduled times. When one of the dialed telephones is answered, the NOCM complex sets up a connection through the public switched telephone network between the called party and one or more attendants at one or more telephone numbers specified by a customer of the NOCM services.

Abstract: A monitoring system for detecting urine includes an electric circuit for activating an indicator, having a break in continuity bordered by a pair of electrodes, a sheet of material for absorbing and retaining urine to permit the urine to provide a conductive path to complete the circuit and activate the indicator, two lead members attached to the sheet of material, the lead members being in a spaced apart relationship from each other, and a mechanism for snap fastening or magnetically fastening each electrode to one lead member. The mechanism for snap fastening includes a male or female snap fastener half attached to one electrode and a female or male snap fastener half attached to the sheet of material and in electrical contact with one lead member, wherein the male snap fastener half can be removably inserted into the female snap fastener half to establish electrical contact between the electrode and the lead member.

Abstract: A trailer hitch security system has a first audible alarm to alert the driver of a towing vehicle of a loose connection with the trailer, and of a loose connection between the ball of the trailer hitch and the towing vehicle's frame. The system also has two visual indicators alerting the driver of the state of the coupling between the trailer and the vehicle. A second audible alarm is automatically activated if the vehicle's ignition is turned off and an unauthorized removal of the trailer is attempted. The second audible alarm is loud and intermittent, thus alerting the driver of unauthorized unhitching, or theft, of the trailer. The loud alarm may be turned off only from within the cab of the vehicle, as returning the trailer to the towing vehicle's ball will not deactivate it. The second audible alarm is tied to a timer which limits the sounding of the second audible alarm to a preset time interval.

Abstract: The position encoder system requires no keyboard surface area and includes a retractable and extendable handle that is stored inside the computer when not in use. The handle is extended for use near the computer keyboard. The movement of the handle is sensed by a high resolution sensing system that consumes relatively little power.

Abstract: An alarm system monitoring method for remote monitoring. A local alarm monitoring station receives alarm indications from alarms being monitored, and transfers the alarm indication to a first hub station. A load processor at the hub station, determines whether the first hub station should handle the call by comparing its current load of calls to a predetermined limit. If the limit is not crossed by local handling of the call, the first hub station will handle the call, and the load number is modified accordingly. If the first hub station cannot handle the new call, the call is transferred to a second hub station for processing.

Abstract: The speed of in-plant vehicles such as forklift trucks and the like is monitored to provide for the lighting of a warning light where a first speed threshold is reached, the sounding of a horn when a second speed is reached, and for the disabling of the vehicle on the sustaining of the higher speed for a predetermined interval of time. This speed monitoring approach generates a signal having an intermittent monitor output corresponding with the speed of the vehicle and which exhibits a period of lessening duration in corresponding with increasing speeds. Timing of the occurrence of these signals is employed with an accumulator based logic to establish vehicle speed. To avoid apparatus reaction to noise based signals, a select number of occurrences of apparent speed excursions are required before the horn or lamp are activated. Remote supervisory resetting of the monitoring system following the occurrence of a latched warning output is provided through an IR based code transmitting and receiving arrangement.

Abstract: In order to detect with high accuracy a current which may adversely affect an electric circuit if continued for an extended time, an apparatus periodically samples an output of a current sensor connected to the circuit and includes a memory storing data of current values regarded as representing overcurrents in consideration of the respective durations thereof. The current values are stored in pairs with time values representing the durations. The sampled value is compared with the current values stored in the memory while duration of the sampled value is compared with the time value paired with that current value.

Abstract: An electrical contact avoidance device comprises an inductor plate directly or capacitively coupled to the user and coupled to a detector circuit which derives a DC signal corresponding to a voltage induced in the user's body by a radiated high voltage electrostatic field. A comparator compares the DC signal with a reference signal representing the potential difference between the inductor and reference plates, and activates an alarm if the detected signal exceeds a preselected reference level.

Abstract: A device is provided which passes light of preselected wavelengths through a fluid or vapor to be tested. The light is detected after it has passed through the fluid or vapor. Upon detection, a voltage is created which is proportional in amplitude to the detected light strength for each wavelength of light. These voltages are compared to produce a ratio which represents the condition of the fluid or vapor which is tested. When the ratio is outside of preselected boundaries, control signals are generated which may trigger alarms or otherwise respond to the condition.

Abstract: A float-operated switch assembly is mounted in an opening in the top of a tank. It includes a vertical non-magnetic pipe having a pair of floats normally hanging beside it. Each of the floats has a magnet thereon normally in a position proximate the pipe when the float is down. A magnetic field between this magnet and a switch operator support magnet inside the pipe normally holds the latter magnet in a set position. The floats are located at a height such that, when the liquid has risen to the desired upper limit, the rising liquid has caused the floats to swing up and outward from the pipe, pulling their respective magnets out of supporting relationship to the switch operator support magnet whereupon the support magnet drops and a switch is operated for activating a signal circuit. A manual test knob is provided to remotely, manually lift the floats.

Abstract: An audible warning cue signal of a selected duration is provided to disembarked passengers to warn them of the impending departure of the vehicle from which they disembarked. The vehicle is stopped at a predetermined location for passenger debarkation. An entrance door of the vehicle is then actuated to an opened condition to allow the passengers to disembark. After the passengers have disembarked, the door is actuated to a closed condition and an audibly perceptible alarm is provided for a selected time duration to aurally alert the disembarked passengers to the impending departure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hand tool driven by a DC battery comprises a tool driving section having a motor, a DC source connected to the tool driving section, a plurality of LEDs connected to the DC source, an LED turning-off section for sequentially turning off the LEDs in accordance with the power remaining in the DC source, and an LED flickering section for causing flickering of at least one illuminated LED, when the driving section is overloaded.

Abstract: An monitoring system for detecting urine includes an electric circuit for activating an indicator, having a break in continuity bordered by a pair of electrodes, a lead member extending from each electrode, the lead members being in a spaced apart relationship from each other, and a sheet of hydrophilic material extending over and resting against the lead members for absorbing and retaining urine to permit the urine to provide a conductive path between the lead members to complete the circuit and activate the indicator. The indicator is either a light or a sound generator. The system may additionally include a flexible sheet of waterproof material to which the lead members are joined. The flexible sheet of waterproof material optionally fits into a pocket of a bed pad. The system may additionally include a heat sensor for monitoring the temperature of a person resting against the sheet of hydrophilic material.

Abstract: An electronic device for being carried on a vehicle for transmitting information to a vehicle following it over a given route. The electronic device is also intended to receive information coming from a vehicle preceding it over the same route. The device includes a transmitter for transmitting information and a chronometric scanner adapted to detect deceleration of the vehicle by comparing speed values communicated to it by sensor. In the event that deceleration values exceed a certain threshold, a signal is sent to a radio transmitter device adapted to transmit a deceleration signal via an antenna on the rear of the vehicle. The electronic device also includes a radio receiver for receiving information from an antenna at the front of the vehicle regarding deceleration of vehicle in front of the vehicle. An alarm device emits a visual and/or audible alarm in the event of sudden deceleration of a vehicle preceding it.

Abstract: A smoke alarm structure includes a first housing containing a sensor and audible alarm in electrical communication with a second housing. The second housing includes a back-up battery structure cooperative with a signal test button and a delay button in association to delay actuation of the audible alarm to permit audible alarms due to various signals such as cooking smoke and the like developed temporarily by individuals within a dwelling.

Abstract: A proximity detection system includes a dual mode oscillator for generating a pair of ON and OFF control signals. A sensing circuit including a capacitance device detects the presence of a conductive object, such as a liquid, to cause the oscillator to switch its modes of oscillation.

Abstract: An energization indicator for a solenoid includes an electrically operable signaler (70) having a coil (72) for energizing the signaler (70) when a magnetic flux field sweeps such coil, with the coil (72) being mounted in the magnetic flux path of the solenoid coil (53).

Abstract: In cooperation with an electric fence, a grounding rod directed into a ground supporting surface includes electrical communication with a fluorescent tubular light, with the tubular light having an upper distal end and electrical contact structure, to include a clip member for securement to an electrical fence in cooperation therewith to indicate electrical operability of the fence and its activation.