Abstract: A vehicle security system includes at least one sensor, a controller and at least one output device driver. The sensor has a rest state and a tripped state. The controller has an armed state and a disarmed state. The first output device driver transitions from its quiescent to its alarm state in response to the first sensor transitioning from its rest state to its trip state and the controller is in its armed state and furthermore when the ignition circuit is off. The first output device driver will remain in the quiescent state independently of the present state of the sensor if the ignition circuit is on and the controller is in its armed state. If the controller is in the disarm state, any activity by the sensor will not have any effect on the system.

Abstract: In a switch with pre-alarm means having level adjusting apparatus (105a) of the pre-alarming and an indicator (103) for showing that value of current flowing on a load corresponds to the pre-alarm level, the level adjusting apparatus (105a) is adjusted with monitoring the indicator (103). When the indicator (103) is lighted, the value shown by level indicator (105b) of the level adjusting apparatus (105a) corresponds to actual value of the current flowing on the load at that time.

Abstract: A device for replacing a battery in a battery powered apparatus such as a smoke alarm is provided which permits the battery to be replaced from a location remote from the battery connector of the apparatus. The device hereof includes a guide track in the form of an elongated tube and means shiftable therealong for carrying a battery between the battery connector and the portion of the tube proximal to the user. A rod is provided for shifting a carriage preferably located within the tube. The carriage is preferably configured to present the battery to the battery connector with the terminals oriented to engage the battery connector and press the battery into position. On the retrieval stroke, the carriage is configured to pull the battery out of engagement with the battery connector and carry it to the end of the tube proximal to the user where the battery may be pushed through a port in the tube and readily replaced.

Abstract: A housing contains a gate or arm to extend to the driver's side of a school bus to stop vehicular traffic at the back of the bus. The housing and the arm are located at the back of the bus by attaching it to the rear bumper of existing bus. For new buses, the housing can be built into the body of the bus on the driver's side near the rear. A stop sign, at eye level, is also extended from the driver's side of the bus. In a preferred embodiment, the sign is extended responsive to the opening of the passenger door on the school bus. As soon as the sign begins its outward movement, flashing lights are activated, a sound alarm is activated. After a short delay, the gate in the form of an arm is extended from the housing. To retrieve the arm and sign, the arm is brought in first and as soon as the arm is retracted it activates a limit switch which begins the sign retraction and when the sign is retracted a limit switch will deactivate the flashing lights and audible device.

Abstract: A fire alarm system which radiates light towards a smoke detecting space. Scattered light resulting from smoke that may exist in the smoke detecting space is judged by a receiver with respect to the type of smoke that may prevail in the space. The presence of a fire is judged by comparing the light that has been received with a set threshold level. The threshold level is set to different levels in accordance with the type of smoke detected.

Abstract: A detector system for sensing the presence of a toxic gas, such as carbon monoxide, and sounding an alarm. The presence of the gas is detected by passing light through a biomimetric sensing material that darkens in the presence of the gas. The system includes a housing containing a light emitter, a light detector and a mechanism for sounding an alarm. The sensing material is contained in a cell, which, together with a battery to power the system, are mounted in a drawer insertable into the housing, which has openings permitting ambient air to reach the sensing material. When fully inserted, the drawer positions the cell between the emitter and detector and brings battery contacts into connection with contact s for the light emitter and alarm. Both the battery and sensing material must be replaced periodically, typically about once every three years. The drawer is configured so that it cannot be inserted without a battery in place. Both the battery and cell are easily replaced in the drawer.

Abstract: An earthquake sensor in which a weight falls from a support surface and activates a switch in the event of an earthquake. The support surface is preferably a bell with its opened end downward and the weight resting on a concave, recessed region at the closed end of the bell. The bell is preferably supported by a shaft along the axis of the bell, the tip of which the bell pivots about like a pendulum. A conductive cylinder encircles the bell near its bottom. When the earth moves, the weight falls down the inclined surface of the bell, wedging between the bell and the cylinder, forcing the bell to pivot over to electrically connect the bell to the cylinder. In an alternative embodiment, the weight electrically connects the bell and the cylinder, and the bell does not pivot.

Abstract: A portable water activated alert system is disclosed. The system has an RF transmitter and receiver which incorporate special features. Both are battery operated and portable. The receiver includes both an audible alarm and an illuminated directional and proximity indicator.

Abstract: A wet diaper detector comprises an elongated strip of material sized to be positioned in a diaper with a portion of the strip residing in a region of the diaper subject to wetness and an end of the strip protruding from the diaper at the upper rear or front portion thereof. The strip carries a pair of spaced conductors that extend along the length of the strip and terminate at the protruding end thereof. A detector and alarm assembly is adapted to be releasably coupled to the protruding end of the elongated strip and is configured to monitor the electrical resistance between the spaced conductors of the strip. When the diaper is wet by its wearer, the resistance between the spaced conductors of the strips falls below a pre-established value whereupon the detector activates the alarm to alert an attendant to change the diaper. When the diaper is changed, the detector and alarm assembly is decoupled from the strip for reuse and the strip is discarded along with the soiled diaper.

Abstract: A device for signaling a wet condition in a diaper. The device includes a sensing means for sensing wet conditions in the diaper and signal means connected to the sensing means for producing a signal substantially concurrently with sensing the wet conditions in the diaper. The sensing means are insulated from the wearer when the diaper is dry and are activated by the diaper once the diaper becomes wet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically compensating for gain variations, component aging and drift characteristics of an associated circuit when trying to detect a leak. In the preferred embodiment an analog to digital converter will convert an analog signal from a sensor to a digital representation. A microprocessor will read the digital representation and compute the percentage change of the difference in values of the digital representations. Wherever the percentage change is greater than a threshold value, the microprocessor will activate an alarm to inform the user.

Abstract: To determine and/or monitor a predetermined contents level in a container, at the height of the level to be monitored a region of the container wall is defined by a ring or frame which is attached to the outer side of the container wall in such a manner that it is in oscillatory mechanical connection with said container wall. The region of the container wall enclosed by the ring or frame forms the diaphragm of a sensor which also comprises an electromechanical excitation transducer which when fed with an electrical voltage sets the defined diaphragm region into oscillations, and an electromechanical receiving transducer which converts the oscillations of the defined diaphragm region to an electrical AC voltage. An evaluating circuit connected to the receiving transducer serves to initiate display and/or switching operations in dependence upon the frequency, the phase or the amplitude of the AC voltage emitted by the receiving transducer.

Abstract: An earthquake warning device including a speaker disposed in a housing, a casing disposed above the housing, a pair of electrically conductive sheet members disposed in a lower portion of the casing and electrically coupled to the speaker, a support disposed in the casing having a flat upper surface, and an electrically conductive ball disposed on the flat upper surface of the support. The ball will move away from the flat upper surface and downward to electrically connect the sheet members together when a vibration occurs to cause the speaker to generate a warning sound.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled automobile security system provides several features for enhanced operability. The system allows a receiving unit to learn a plurality of operating codes from a plurality of uniquely coded transmitters with which it can operate, thereby allowing each transmitting unit to be sold separately from each receiving unit. The system also allows for an operator to personally set the threshold at which a signal detected by a shock detector will result in an alarm being triggered. The system is further selectively operable in either a manual arming mode or a passive arming mode. The system also allows selective operation in either a full current sensing mode in which either a detected shock above an absolute threshold or a .DELTA. threshold, or current flow above a predetermined level, will trigger an alarm system or operation in a shock and current integration mode in which if a detected current exceeding a predetermined threshold and a shock above an absolute or .DELTA.

Abstract: A device for sensing smoke and providing an indication upon the sensing of smoke is disclosed. A housing, being in the shape of a wrist watch, includes an electronic circuit that senses smoke and provides an indication to those in the vicinity of the device. This indication allows those in this vicinity to easily locate the device. The housing further includes the features of providing the time of day to a user.

Abstract: A method for monitoring damage to the protective covering of immersed or underground metal structures subjected to cathodic protection, based on the electrical resistance offered by said covering, and consisting of modulating the cathodic protection feed current and measuring the corresponding potential variation due to the ohmic loss, said resistance being obtained from the ratio of potential variation to modulation current, to activate an alarm system on sudden fall and rise in ohmic resistance due to accidental events.

Abstract: The low flow monitor provides a means for determining if a fluid flow meets a minimum threshold level of flow. The low flow monitor operates with a minimum of intrusion by the flow detection device into the flow. The electrical portion of the monitor is externally located with respect to the fluid stream which allows for repairs to the monitor without disrupting the flow. The electronics provide for the adjustment of the threshold level to meet the required conditions. The apparatus can be modified to provide an upper limit to the flow monitor by providing for a parallel electronic circuit which provides for a bracketing of the desired flow rate.

Abstract: A system for exchanging information by means of transmitted RF signals between a fixed location interrogator and a vehicle transponder moving in the vicinity of the interrogator. The transponder responds to a first trigger signal from the interrogator by transmitting to the interrogator a first data message derived from data stored in a transponder memory. The interrogator then remotely reprograms the transponder memory and generates a second trigger pulse. The transponder responds to the second trigger pulse by transmitting the reprogrammed data it then stores and the interrogator analyzes the last mentioned transmission to determine if the transponder properly received and responded to the reprogramming.

Abstract: A communication device (100) activates a latch (148) so as to prevent the removal of an energy source upon the detection of a predetermined event or activity.

Abstract: An ionization-type smoke sensor having a 2-chamber 1-radiation source structure including an inner electrode having a radiation source, an intermediate electrode having an opening through which radiation from the radiation source passes, an outer electrode through which smoke may flow inside from outside, and an insulator supporting and insulating the inner electrode, the intermediate electrode and the outer electrode. In the sensor, a fence portion made of an insulating material is formed on and projecting from a surface of the insulator which faces the outer electrode, the fence portion surrounding the periphery of the opening of the intermediate electrode. By virtue of this arrangement, even when the sensor is subjected to flow of air heading from outside toward the opening of the intermediate electrode, the fence serves to reduce the flow of air heading toward the opening, thereby enabling the characteristics of the sensor chambers to remain stable against flow of air.