Abstract: In adaptive cruise speed controlling apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a target vehicular velocity is set in such a way that an addition value of a difference between a target inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle to a preceding vehicle, the preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle on the same traffic lane, and an actual inter-vehicle distance thereof multiplied by a first gain and a relative velocity between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle multiplied by a second gain is included in the set vehicular velocity and the first and second gains are set to control a vehicular driving force to make the inter-vehicle distance substantially equal to the target inter-vehicle distance and to converge the inter-vehicle distance into the target inter-vehicle distance within a predetermined small overshoot crossing the target inter-vehicle distance when a size of an external form of the preceding vehicle is larger than a predetermined size.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and customizable presentation of navigation related, flight information data on a multifunction display (MFD) within a cockpit. The MFD includes a bezel having controls located thereon which are adapted for controlling display formats, communication devices, navigational devices, and equipment sensors. A display is located adjacent to the bezel. The display is adapted to include at least one display region having navigation related data. At least one of the controls is operable to variably select a display format for the at least one display region.

Abstract: A collision warning and countermeasure system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (10) includes a transmission gear sensor (20) that generates a transmission gear signal. A multi-mode object detection sensor (28) generates an object detection signal. The multi-mode object detection sensor (28) operates in a detection mode in response to the transmission gear signal. A controller (26) is electrically coupled to the transmission gear sensor (20) and the multi-mode object detection sensor (28) and generates a countermeasure signal in response to the object detection signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A deceleration warning device for providing a visual indication of severe vehicular deceleration to the driver of a following vehicle. The deceleration warning device independently detects severe deceleration through an onboard accelerometer and is installed by securing the device to an existing OEM brake light/taillight fitting of a vehicle. The deceleration warning device is installed in the vacancy of a taillight lamp, and includes an illumination element that serves as a taillight, a brake light, and a severe deceleration indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing hub functionality in a local network, includes: a smoke detector including a detector module configured to provide smoke detection functionality, and a hub module coupled to detector module and configured to provide network hub functionality. A method of providing hub functionality in a local network, includes: providing a smoke detector including a detector module configured to provide smoke detection functionality, and a hub module coupled to detector module and configured to provide network hub functionality; and transmitting a packet from one segment to another segment by use of the smoke detector.

Abstract: A mounting kit and smoke detecting apparatus releasably mountable to a distant support surface, including a smoke detector weighing W, a support plate securable to the support surface and releasably securable to the smoke detector by a separating force of Y, and a longitudinal member having a proximate end graspable by a user and a distal end releasably securable to the smoke detector. A selectable first connector on the distal end is releasably securable to the smoke detector for mounting the smoke detector to the support plate and a selectable second connector is securable to the smoke detector for detaching the smoke detector from the support plate. The first connector is secured to the smoke detector by a separating force no greater than X and the second connector is secured to the smoke detector by a separating force no less than Z. At least one of X<(Y?W) and X<Y is true, and at least one of Y<Z and (Y?W)<Z is true.

Abstract: A method serves for detecting the touch contact of an operator-controlled element of a machine by a user. In order to be able to continuously and with great safety and meaning carry out the detection, it is suggested that an actual vibration characteristic (FR) of the operator-controlled element is detected during operation, which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the operator-controlled element by a user, and is compared to at least one desired vibration characteristic (FR0), which is present in a defined state of the operator-controlled element (34, 42), and an announcement (48, 52) takes place in dependence upon the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A system to warn an automobile driver of an approaching emergency vehicle includes at least one sensor (18) located in the motor vehicle (12), the sensor being responsive to sense the alert-status signal from the emergency vehicle and to provide an output signal indicative thereof, a control block (20) responsive to the signal from the sensor and operative to provide an output signal indicative thereof, visual indicia (16) associated with the face of the rearview mirror (14) and receiving the output signal from the control block, and an audio alert (22) also responsive to the output signal from the control block. The visual indicia include four indicia markers located at approximately 90 degrees from one another on horizontal and vertical axes visible on the face of the mirror to provide the driver with visual directional notification of the presence and location of the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing local intersection control includes controlling light signal transmitters at an intersection. A traffic condition at an intersection is cyclically detected, a signal program is selected that is matched to the detected traffic condition, and the selected signal program issues switching commands to the light signal transmitter. Characteristic traffic conditions are derived from the detected traffic conditions for the intersection, each characteristic traffic condition is assigned a signal program matched to this traffic condition, a metric is defined as measure for positions of two traffic conditions relative to each other, the characteristic traffic condition that is closest to the actual traffic condition with respect to the metric is determined, and the signal program assigned to the closest characteristic traffic condition is executed for triggering switching commands for the light-signal transmitters. A control device is also included for realizing the method.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a mini-spare tire 14e having a spare tire transmitter (16e) generating a mini-spare transmitter identification signal, a distance sensor generating a distance signal and a controller (22) coupled to the mini-spare tire. The controller (22) starts the timer in response to receiving the spare tire identification signal. The controller (22) determines a mini-spare distance signal and generates a warning signal when the mini-spare distance signal exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Passive and active methods for anticipating problems with electrical wiring are provided. An insulative material in contact with an electrical conductor has at least one impurity that is impregnated in the insulative material and/or disposed thereon. An environment around the electrical conductor is monitored for the presence or the level of the impurity(ies) emanating from the insulative material in the form of a gaseous effluent. An alarm signal is generated when a predetermined level of the gaseous effluent is detected.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for improved safety in operation of a crane relative to the transit of a load overhead of workmen. A initiating operator transmits a RF signal to sound a first horn alarm when a lift commences. The initiating operator transmits a second RF signal, when the transit of the load commences, to sound a second horn alarm which operates asynchronously relative to the first horn alarm. A terminating operator disengages the horn alarms when the load is placed. Workmen will hear a Doppler effect as indicative of the direction of travel and position of the load.

Abstract: A method for detecting decrease in tire air-pressure in which decrease in internal pressure of a tire is detected on the basis of rotational information. The method includes the steps of: detecting rotational information of the tires; storing the rotational information; comparing rotational information of all left-sided wheels and rotational information of all right-sided wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is performing straight-ahead running; and judging decompression on the basis of a relationship between a value obtained through comparison of the left-sided and right-sided rotational information and a specified threshold. It is possible to detect decompression of a single wheel tire while it is also possible to detect that two wheel tires on the left or right are simultaneously decreased.

Abstract: A security device for a bottle having a neck fitted with a closure comprises a sleeve adapted to fit over the neck of the bottle and a catch member pivoted to the sleeve for movement between free and locking positions. The catch member has an inner portion which projects through an aperture in the sleeve, into the bore thereof, which inner portion is adapted to engage a shoulder of the bottle neck or an edge of the closure, thereby to resist removal of the sleeve from a bottle neck when the device has been fitted thereto. A magnetic armature is connected to the catch member such that an applied magnetic field will move the armature so as then to move the catch member to its free position and thereafter permit removal of the sleeve from the bottle. A housing encloses the release mechanism and also a radio-frequency or other security responder whereby unauthorized removal of a bottle carrying the security device from a protected area will sound an alarm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of medication monitoring which includes analyzing data on the clinical consequences of variable patient compliance with prescribed drug regimens, communicating to caregivers and/or patients the compliance-dependent probabilities of two clinically important transitions in health status: substantive improvement in the patient's health status and substantive deterioration in the patient's health status, defining acceptable levels of the respective probabilities of deterioration and of improvement, and intervening when appropriate to improve the patient's compliance, in order to achieve mutually-agreed upon maintenance, improvement, or avoidance of deterioration in health status.

Abstract: In a vehicle passive entry system, a countermeasure system and method include a remote unit for receiving a passive entry challenge signal, determining if the passive entry challenge signal is valid, and transmitting a vehicle access signal for use in actuating a door look mechanism to permit access to the vehicle if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid. The remote unit includes an indicator for use in generating an alert if the passive entry challenge signal is determined valid, and a switch for use in manually disabling transmission of the vehicle access signal. The countermeasure system further includes a passive entry control module for mounting in the vehicle, the control module including a transceiver for transmitting the passive entry challenge signal and for receiving the vehicle access signal.

Abstract: Apparatus in one example comprises first and second fence posts that cooperate to represent a subportion of a perimeter to be secured. The first fence post comprises a first motion sensor and a first laser sensor. The second fence post comprises a second motion sensor and a second laser sensor. Upon physical movement in a region outside the subportion of the perimeter, one or more of the first and second motion sensors serve to automatically perform a detection of the physical movement in the region outside the subportion of the perimeter. Upon the detection of the physical movement in the region outside the subportion of the perimeter the one or more of the first and second motion sensors serve to automatically cause the first and second laser sensors to monitor for physical movement at the subportion of the perimeter.

Abstract: A security alarm system that may be selectively armed or disarmed when monitoring a protective premises is described which utilizes the position of an entry door to determine whether the security system should be armed or disarmed. The security system comprises (i) an entry door for permitting ingress to the protected premises from the outside of the entry door and egress from the protected premises from the inside of the door; (ii) means for selectively closing and opening the entry door; and (iii) a switch having a first state indicative of the entry door being in a closed position and a second state indicative of the entry door being in an open position wherein, when the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed.

Abstract: An improved lighted traffic sign having an adjustable and portable seat, a portable urinal having an enclosure, a liquid applicator, a hinge, and a sign and warning device is disclosed. The improved lighted traffic sign can be used at the workstation to prevent gaps in traffic control.

Abstract: A system modifies the status of a surveillance tag indicator in a product data record corresponding to an article being processed at checkout stand. The system comprises a product database having product records corresponding to articles sold in a store, a surveillance tag interrogator associated with the checkout station that generates a surveillance tag present signal in response to detection of a surveillance tag, and a database modifier communicatively coupled to the database and the interrogator for modifying a surveillance tag indicator of a product record in response to the surveillance tag present signal from the interrogator. The database modifier, in response to the surveillance tag present signal, may set the surveillance tag indicator of a product record corresponding to an article being processed for checkout to indicate a surveillance tag is expected for the article thereafter.