Abstract: Warning systems for aircraft that provide a warning to the pilot of an excessive altitude loss or an excessive descent rate after take-off as long as he is flying below a predetermined altitude have the problem that they require a valid radio altitude signal for proper operation, and tend to generate nuisance warnings when used in low flying aircraft. This problem is solved by comparing the accumulated altitude loss after take-off (12, 14, 62, 34) with the product of a barometrically derived altitude and the length of time the aircraft has been flying (12, 14, 30, 32, 34). A warning is generated if the altitude loss is excessive for the accumulated time-altitude product after take-off (38, 40). Thus, the system is more sensitive immediately after take-off and becomes less sensitive as flight time is accumulated to permit low level maneuvering without generating false or nuisance warnings, and does not require a valid radio altitude signal to generate a warning.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing device having a transducer in which successive bursts of pulses of ultrasonic energy are transmitted across a gap. When liquid is present in the gap the bursts of pulses are received and signal processed to indicate the presence of liquid in the gap.

Abstract: A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in a monitored conductor includes an electrostatically-actuated indicator assembly. During normal operation a lightweight indicator flag rotatably mounted in and viewable from the exterior of the indicator housing is held in a reset-indicating position by electrostatic force resulting from an electric field existing between the flag and adjacent electrodes. Upon occurrence of a fault current in the monitored conductor the electric field is removed and the indicator flag, under the influence of a permanent magnet, is caused to rotate to a fault-indicating position. By avoiding the use of magnetic actuator windings and associated pole pieces the indicator assembly is easier and more economical to construct.

Abstract: A pedestrian crossing signal which incorporates a face plate having a "WALK" symbol and a "DONT WALK" symbol. The "WALK" symbol is illuminated by a mercury vapor tubular lamp mounted on the planar rear wall of a housing and which emits white light, and the "DONT WALK" symbol is illuminated by a neon tubular lamp also mounted on the planar rear wall of the housing and which emits red or orange light. At least a portion of the rear wall of the housing on which the tubular lamps are mounted is formed of heat conductive material. This material serves to conduct heat from the neon lamp to the mercury vapor lamp when the former is illuminated to obviate any likelihood of failure of the mercury vapor lamp to become illuminated when it is energized even in cold weather.

Abstract: An electronic filing apparatus includes a determinating device for receiving an image signal to determine whether or not image represented by the image signal is image of an OMR sheet in accordance with a predetermined form. The form at least includes a field to fill in with a facsimile number and a field to fill in with data designating information for designating desired data. The electronic filing apparatus further includes a recognizing device for recognizing a facsimile number and data designating information from the image signal determined by the determining device as a signal representing the image of the OMR sheet, and an information delivering device for preparing data designated by the recognized data designating information and for transmitting the image signal of the prepared data to the output destination designated by the recognized facsimile number.

Abstract: A unit for detection and signalizing of functional defects for public lighting. A unit characterized by the fact that it comprises, for the one part, an emitter module (21) with which each street lamp is equipped, preferably located in its post, at the level of the junction box, the emitter module being equipped with a detector for current consumption (23) using the alternative network of the supply line as the carrier of a detection signal, and for the other part, of a receiver module (22) located in the supply cabinet of the same zone, this receiver module managed by a microprocessor which transmits a defect signal to the control room over a telephone line. This invention is of interest for manufacturers and installers of materials, equipment and components for public lighting.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document by dividing the image into a plurality of sections in the main scanning direction and causing independent solid-state imaging devices to read those image sections. A displacement of the document from a correct reading position is detected. An effective pixel area for reading of each of the imaging devices is varied on the basis of the detected displacement of the document.

Abstract: An anti-theft device comprises a circuit which control a relay. The house power is connected to the circuit which energizes the relay. When the relay is energized, the contacts in the relay remain open. A battery and an alarm horn are connected in series with the contacts of the relay. When the power to the circuit is cut off, as during a theft, the relay is de-energized, completing the circuit to the batter and the alarm causing the alarm to sound to warn of a possible theft.

Abstract: A U-turn signaling attachment useful with the turn signal stalk of a motor vehicle includes a frame conformed for engagement to the stalk and a lever pivoted on one end of the frame. A cam edge is fixed to the lever to oppose one end of a push rod which, at its other end, oppposes a double lobed surface attached to the steering column. The cam edge, at its center position, is chamfered transversely to clear the push rod during fore and aft motion.

Abstract: A system for communication between a computer and peripheral devices. The computer is made to generate long duration, synchronous, bi-phase binary coded electrical signals that can be shaped and amplified and then used to modulate a high frequency infrared light beam. Video and audio tape motion counts or electrical signal frequency counts can be read by the computer through the mouse port. Two pulse trains that change relative phase with a change in tape motion direction can be used to record motion counts and determine the direction of motion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) card for use in an image processing machine, such as a digital copying machine. The IC card includes a first storage area for storing data for controlling said image processor and a second storage area for storing image data to be processed by said image processor.

Abstract: A halftoning method for creating a color binary image from a continuous tone color image or computer generated graphics signal is improved by diffusing color vector error and by including the visual color blur functions in the recursive error propagation algorithm so that perceived color vector rather than binary color error is propagated.

Abstract: A phase-difference detector for use with an auto-focus detecting apparatus of a camera, the detector is capable of performing an arithmetic correlation process for detecting a phase-difference at a high speed with high accuracy. This detector uses an analog correlation arithmetic device for carrying out an analog correlation arithmetic process which generates correlative values associated with a pair of analog electric signals outputted from a pair of optical sensors. An A/D converter converts the generated correlative values outputted from the analog correlation arithmetic device into digital signals. The correlation arithmetic operation is done by directly using the analog signals generated during a photoelectric conversion, and the correlative values obtained by this computation are converted into digital signals, thereby allowing the arithmetic process to be performed at a high speed.

Abstract: An image pickup printing device wherein images such as characters or diagrams written on a board or the like are made incident through a lens, the incidental images are monitored by a view-finder, the thus-monitored images are converted into the information by a one-dimensional image sensor, and the images are printed out by a printer based on informations obtained by the one-dimensional image sensor.

Abstract: An electromechanical sensor is provided which comprises: first semiconductor wafer including a first stop surface residing in a first shallow recessed region of the first wafer; a second semiconductor wafer; wherein the first and second semiconductor wafers are laminated together such that the first recessed region of the first wafer and the second wafer define a first chamber in which the first stop surface and the second wafer are disposed close enough together such that the first stop surface restrains the second wafer from deflecting beyond the first stop surface; and an apparatus for measuring deflection of the second wafer.

Abstract: Optical system for detecting and signaling a ball out-of-bounds condition on a tennis court. An optical shape plane interfered by a tennis player disables an underlying optical timed plane. The timed plane discriminates between an interference caused by a player's foot or a tennis ball. The optical planes are produced by emitter and receptor sensor units which surround the tennis court. The sensor units may be configured around the tennis court in sets of units referred to as optical lattices. Each optical lattice provides intersecting light beams allowing for continuity in court coverage when a player disables a timed plane. An out-of-bounds ball is signalled by an audiovisual device.

Abstract: A CRT display system for a vehicle is provided, the system comprises a CRT for displaying images, vehicle information, or so forth, a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the CRT, a vehicle information sensor, and control means for the liquid crystal panel. The vehicle information sensor is adapted for determining whether the vehicle is running or not and whether an ambient light level is high or low to provide signals indicative thereof. The control means is operable to control the transmission factor of the liquid crystal panel so as to limit a visual angle for the driver in response to the signals output from the vehicle information sensor. When the ambient light level is low and the vehicle is running, the control means controls the liquid crystal panel assembly so as to reduce the transmission factor thereof to a first level with the result that no images from the CRT are projected to the driver through the panel assembly although passengers may clearly see the images.

Abstract: The ultrasonic device which is sensitive to a selectably defined range for giving warning to a vehicle operator while backing which indicates visually an obstruction substantially out of range, close to range and within range coupled with an in range audio alarm giving an intermittent tone at a defined pulse rate which rate approaches non-pulsating as the object approaches within 25% of the selected range. A convex reflector of a defined radius in conjunction with angularly upright baffles disposed on the convexity is coupled to the transmitting/receiving transducer to generate an ultrasonic beam which encompasses objects anywhere in the range area adjacent to the vehicle's rear edge.

Abstract: A transducer having a plurality of sensing elements disposed in a single diaphragm wherein each of the sensing elements is spaced from every other of the sensing elements a predetermined distance so as to control interference among the sensing elements. Each of the sensing elements preferably comprises a plurality of piezoresistors each of which are coupled in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. This transducer achieves sensitive, accurate, high spatial resolution measurements of non-uniform pressures.

Abstract: A communication system for attachment to a standard type of firefighter's face mask. Generally speaking, the communication system is mounted on opposite sides of the glass/plastic lens portion without affecting the integrity of the mask seal or the breathing air conduits. An infra-red signal representative of the wearer's voice is transmitted through the mask lens to speaker-electronics for reproducing the amplified voice of the wearer out side the mask unit.