Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly abnormality determining apparatus and a method thereof determines whether there is an abnormality in a tire/wheel assembly in a vehicle provided with the tire/wheel assembly constituted by fixing a tire, that is filled with compressed air, to a wheel. The apparatus includes a tire pressure sensor which directly detects an air pressure in the tire as a tire pressure and which outputs a tire pressure signal indicative of the detected tire pressure; and a determining device which determines whether there is a deformation state abnormality, that is an abnormality regarding a deformation state of the tire, in the tire/wheel assembly, based on frequency characteristics of the output tire pressure signal. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether there is an abnormality in the tire/wheel assembly in the vehicle, regardless of fluctuation of a wheel speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new application for an inductive coupler (12) used proximate a power transmission line (14). The magnetic field based power measurement method and system discussed herein in unique and differs from the prior technology by using near-real time intervals and periods that occur systemically in parallel with electrical systems rather than an accumulated period with little or no active capacity or proactive features. The inductive coupler (12) described herewith is used to collect, measure, and/or extract electromagnetic changes.

Abstract: An adjustable anti-theft security tag includes an engagement member having a first and second end securable within a housing for attachment to an article. The housing supports an electronic article surveillance marker and may include one or more channels for receiving and securing at least one stationary crimping member. The at least one stationary crimping member is sized to receive one end of the engagement member. The one or more crimping members may be disc shaped, including a plurality of fingers for securing one end of the engagement member, or may be tubular. The disc shaped members allow the engagement member to be moved downward, but not upward, so as to make the engagement loop smaller.

Abstract: A control center continuously monitors a security state of a container through an extended network spanning from a shipper to a consignee. The control center changes the security state responsive to explicit information received from a trusted agent, or implicit information deducted from business logic. A trusted shipper agent sends manifest information from a shipper checkpoint to the data center that includes, for example, container information, shipping route information, and other security information. Trusted monitor agents continuously track the security state from the shipper checkpoint to the origin checkpoint, from the origin checkpoint to a destination checkpoint, and from the destination checkpoint to a consignee checkpoint. A trusted consignee agent sends termination information from the consignee checkpoint to the data center.

Abstract: A sleep prevention device while driving a vehicle including a housing member having an interior compartment; and the interior compartment includes a movable cord member with a distal end and a proximal end having a first contact member on the cord member. The interior compartment also includes two spaced-apart second contact members for engagement by the first contact member. The sleep prevention device further includes an earpiece assembly having an earpiece housing member with an alarm member therein connected to a speaker member in the earpiece housing. The distal end of the movable cord member is connected to the earpiece assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a connection to a data transmission network functions by detecting the network signal energy on a network cable while avoiding the problems of excessive power consumption and generation of excessive electrical noise. By monitoring the receive network lines and determining if there is electrical energy on the cable in the form particular to the type of network supported by the network adaptor card, the host computing device can power-down the transceiver associated with the network adaptor card until an active network connection is detected.

Abstract: A machine guarding system generally includes a switch mat in electrical communication with a machine being guarded. The switch mat is adapted to be placed on a floor adjacent the machine being guarded and includes a pressure actuated switch mechanism which causes power to the machine to be terminated when a pressure is applied to the switch mat. The switch mat further includes a status indicator display disposed on a surface of the switch mat which is illuminated based on a status of the machine being guarded. In a preferred embodiment, the machine guarding system further includes a machine control unit for controlling power to the machine being guarded. The switch mat is in electrical communication with the machine control unit, wherein the switch mechanism causes the machine control unit to terminate power to the machine when a pressure is applied to the switch mat. The machine control unit also illuminates the indicator display based on a status of the machine being guarded.

Abstract: A Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder is provided. The RFID transponder may include a basic ID flag circuit having a VDD voltage node, an output voltage node, and a capacitor coupled to the VDD voltage node and the output voltage node to store an ID flag. The persistence duration of the state of the ID flag is controlled by maintaining a charge and leakage circuit. The charge and leakage circuit includes an NMOS device having a source, a drain and a gate, the source node of the NMOS device being coupled to the capacitor and the drain node of the NMOS device being coupled to a first CMOS inverter. The first CMOS inverter is powered by a regulated supply voltage such that the voltage on the capacitor is not dependent on the forward voltage drop of the NMOS device.

Abstract: A system and method assists a driver of a motor vehicle. Driver operation, vehicle motion and vehicle environment are detected. The detected driver operation, vehicle motion and vehicle environment are evaluated. Based on the evaluation, the driver is prompted to effecting a change in driver operation by applying at least one of braking torque to the motor vehicle and additional reaction force at the accelerator. The change in driver operation is in such a direction as to restrain an increase in degree with which the obstacle is coming close to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that determines the location of an impermissible tamper on an object, such as an impermissible attempt to gain access to a manhole system or an attempt to steal a work of art, includes a housing disposed adjacently to the object. A fiber optic cable runs through the housing. The object includes a portion that cooperates with internal components of the housing to maintain the fiber optic cable in a non-attenuated state. Upon the impermissible tamper, that portion of the object no longer cooperates with the internal components of the housing. An elastic force internal to the housing cooperates with more internal housing components to create a microbend to the fiber optic cable. Using known optical time domain reflectometer technology, the location of the microbend along the fiber optic cable is readily discerned.

Abstract: A system and method use a wireless tether comprising a transmitter and a receiver to alert a caregiver that an object has been left unattended. A detector senses the presence of the object, usually a child, located in a position such as a safety seat. The detector is operatively coupled to the transmitter, which is located near the object. The transmitter transmits at least one wireless signal when the object is in the position. The receiver, which is remotely located from the transmitter, senses the at least one signal as long as the receiver is within a prescribed range of transmission. By performing a timing function, the receiver monitors the proximity of the caregiver, who maintains possession of the receiver, to the transmitter. The system communicates an alarm to the caregiver when the caregiver ventures outside the range of transmission without having removed the object from the position.

Abstract: First through third light reception elements 111–113 receive infrared data D from an operation input transmission section 2, and output the received data to an operation input permission determination section 12a. The operation input permission determination section 12a distinguishes among the first through third infrared light reception elements 111–113, thereby determining in which space an operation input has been performed, and analyzes the description of the operation input, thereby determining whether to accept the operation input. A calculation processing section 13a performs various processes based on the description of the operation input from the operation input permission determination section 12a, a processing result of a position detection section 17, and map data stored in a map data storage section 16. A drawing processing section 14a performs a process of outputting a processing result of the calculation processing section 13a to first and second displays 3 and 4.

Abstract: A system for identifying the location of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a sensor, a receiver, a processor, and a database. The sensor is configured to determine the status of a component and transmit a component ID signal and a component status signal to a controller for monitoring status of the vehicle. The receiver is located external to the vehicle and configured to collect the signals from the sensor. The processor is in communication with the receiver and adapted to correlate the component ID signal and the location of the receiver. The database is in communication with the processor and configured to store the component ID and the receiver location.

Abstract: A waterproof, portable storage container for storing financial/legal documents and financial/legal help documents has an upper case molding having a top wall and four sidewalls defining an upper case cavity and a bottom case molding having a bottom wall and four sidewalls defining a bottom case cavity. A financial/legal document retention device is selectively secured to one of the upper case molding and the bottom case molding, for storing financial and legal documents, said financial/legal document retention device having a plurality of folders to store a plurality of classes of documents, and being a generally rectangular accordion-like file folder system wherein each of the folders is moveably flippable. The storage container further includes a computer-readable-medium holder, selectively secured to the bottom case molding, which stores at least one computer-readable medium having encoded thereon financial/legal help documents.

Abstract: A meter apparatus for a vehicle, includes a circuit board, a sound generating element mounted on one face of the circuit board, a back cover covering the face of the circuit board on which the sound-generating element is mounted, and a separate sound-generating element cap attached to the back cover and covering the sound-generating element in the state that the circuit board is covered with the back cover, the sound-generating element cap being adapted to adjust a sound pressure level of the sound-generating element.

Abstract: An on-board unit for a vehicle is disclosed. The unit includes a primary communication system, the primary communication system being adapted to communicate with a remote location, and being further adapted to detect a stolen condition or receive an indication of a stolen condition. The unit also includes a process for determining whether communication with a central location can be effected. A secondary communication system is provided, the secondary communication system transmitting a signal including an identification of the on-board unit when communication with the central location cannot be effected. This signal is received by a receiver, which is in direct or indirect communication with the central location, so that the central location can take the appropriate steps to recover the vehicle which includes the on-board unit that is emitting the signal.

Abstract: A security system is provided for a cargo container having a door. An electronic control unit is provided for monitoring the locked status of the door. The electronic control unit is operably communicable with a remote computer terminal. A first software control program is located within the electronic control unit to monitor the locked status of the door. A second software control program is located within the remote computer terminal and is capable of retrieving activity and functions from the first software control program. A protocol is provided to facilitate communication between the electronic control unit and the remote computer terminal.

Abstract: A portable liquid level detector. The detector comprises a portable casing, a power supply unit disposed in the portable casing, a sensing device coupled to the power supply unit to sense a capacitance within a container and to output a enable signal when a difference in the capacitance is detected, a light emission device coupled to the sensing unit that illuminates after receiving the enable signal, and an alarm device coupled to the sensing unit that sounds after receiving the enable signal.

Abstract: A single page enterprise wide level display provides a comprehensive readily understood representation of the overall health status of a complex plant. Color coded failure domains allow rapid intuitive recognition of component failure status. A three-tier hierarchy of displays provide details on the health status of the components and systems displayed on the enterprise wide level display in a manner that supports a logical drill down to the health status of sub-components on Tier 1 to expected faults of the sub-components on Tier 2 to specific information relative to expected sub-component failures on Tier 3.

Abstract: The power tool is equipped with a radar for transmitting radio waves towards an area in a vicinity of a rotating tool and for receiving reflected radio waves reflected from a radio wave reflector existing within the area. From the reflected radio waves received by the radar, a distance between the radio wave reflector and the radar, and a speed of change of that distance are calculated. When the calculated distance and speed fulfill a first criterion, a first brake for applying gentle braking to the rotating tool is activated. When the radio wave reflector further approaches to the rotating tool and the calculated distance and speed fulfill a second criterion, a second brake for applying rapid braking to the rotating tool is activated. Distance in the first criterion and the increase as speed increases, and distance corresponding to a certain speed in the first criterion is longer than distance corresponding to the same speed in the second criterion.