Abstract: A system for determining the position of a bolt in a door including a locking mechanism for moving the bolt between a first locked position wherein the door is secured in position within a door frame and a second unlocked position wherein the door is moveable within the door frame. The position of the bolt is determined by a determining means and a signal indicative of the position of the bolt is generated. A transmitter is connected to the determining means and transmits a signal to a means for indicating to a user the position of the bolt. The indicating means includes a processor and receiver and wherein the transmitter transmits the signals generated by the determining means and the receiver receives the signal and provides the signal to the processor for determining the position of the bolt and generating a signal indicative of the determination.

Abstract: A protective device includes a signal input intended for connection to a sensor, a signal output intended for connection to an evaluation unit, and an isolation element for galvanically separating the signal input from the signal output. The provision of the protective device prevents a transmission of overvoltages from the sensor to the evaluating unit.

Abstract: An airfield guidance sign. The sign 100 (of FIG. 1a) includes a case (102), a multi-element light source (114) attached to the case (102) for providing light interior to the case (102), a light dispersion subsystem of the case for dispersing the light from the light source (114) substantially uniformly throughout the interior of the case (102); and a side panel (126) forming a side of the case (102) for displaying information.

Abstract: A precision light source, such as a laser, controlled by the operation of a garage door opener to generate a light beam to provide a reference mark for guiding a user in parking a vehicle. One embodiment teaches powering the unit from the light activation circuitry of the garage door opener directly, or using a bulb connection base having an auxiliary light socket. Further improvements include the use of an aiming device providing dimensional adjustment of the light beam to move the distal reference point created when the light beam intersects the vehicle. A method for use of the apparatus is also taught.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for brightening and dimming a brake light of automotive vehicle for enhanced display indication of braking includes a pulse width modulation unit to be electrically connected to a brake lamp for sequentially modulating the supply energy to the lamp to generate a brightening and dimming of the lamp. A time extent of the modulation is detected so that the modulation can be stopped after a preselected time period and the light will be continually on as in a conventional braking operation. After the brake is released by the operator, a second preselected time period for locking out the sequential interrupting is timed down, for avoiding repetitive flashing during stop-and-go traffic.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from at least one sensor to a control unit via an appropriate two-wire line is described. The method is used to identify any sensor at the control unit and to implement a plurality of logical channels via the appropriate two-wire line. The at least one sensor receives the necessary electrical energy from the control unit via the two-wire line and then transmits the sensor-specific data.

Abstract: A broadcasting center multiplexes contents obtained by adding information indicative of presentation conditions including a “location”, a “moving direction”, and the “period of validity of data” to stream data. A broadcasting wave dispatching apparatus transmits the contents to the entire information provided area through a broadcasting wave. A reception terminal apparatus mounted in a vehicle receives the broadcasting wave distributed by the broadcasting station while the vehicle is passing through the information provided area. The reception terminal apparatus then separates the multiplexed contents from the received signal for storage. It also obtains status information including the location of the vehicle, the current time, and the moving direction of the vehicle, from information provided by a vehicle location measuring apparatus. The reception terminal apparatus then sequentially compares the status information with the presentation condition information, added to the stored contents.

Abstract: A system and method of queuing orders locates data-entry modules relative to a pickup location such that a customer who places an order after a customer who placed an earlier order can be signaled to approach a pickup location before the first customer if the order of the second customer is ready before the order of the first customer. The system can signal a customer to wait in a predefined location until the order is ready, or the system can signal the customer to approach the pickup location.

Abstract: A portable communication device (10) includes a transceiver (12 and 14), an acceleration sensor (20) coupled to the transceiver, and a processor (16) coupled to the acceleration sensor. The processor is programmed to monitor (32) an acceleration profile of the portable communication device and compare (48 and 52) the acceleration profile of the portable communication device with at least one pre-stored acceleration profile (18).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the location of an event from amongst a plurality (A to P) of locations. Lines of communication (R1 to R4, C1 to C4), commonly pipes of a smoke detection system, cover the locations in such a fashion that the location of an event can be determined uniquely but the number of pipes is minimized.

Abstract: A gate entry system for regulating passages of passengers is formed by a wall unit for forming a passageway that is extended along a passing direction of the passengers, a gate unit provided at an exit side of the passageway, which is capable of being opened or closed to regulate the passages of the passengers, human sensors for sensing the passengers in the passageway, a radio communication unit for detecting a number of passengers entering into the passageway according to outputs of the human sensors, and carrying out transmission/reception of data with respect to at least one terminal device of one passenger, and a control unit for controlling opening or closing of the gate unit according to the data received by the radio communication unit.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.

Abstract: Detection is made of an activated direction of a vehicular operator device capable of being activated in at least two directions. In response to activation, in a first direction, of the operator device, informing sound is generated which varies over time with a first characteristic, and, in response to activation, in a second direction, of the operator device, informing sound is generated which varies over time with a second characteristic generally opposite to the first characteristic. For example, when a right turn is instructed, informing sound is generated with a characteristic to progressively raise the sound pitch from a relatively low sound pitch, while when a left turn is instructed, informing sound is generated with a characteristic to progressively lower the sound pitch from a relatively low sound pitch (, or vice versa).

Abstract: A system and method for calculating a quantity of items wherein each item has a tag attached to it. A low intensity RF signal is radiated, causing each tag to generate a reflected signal. The frequency response of the reflected signals is then measured, and the quantity of tagged items is calculated based on the frequency response of the reflected signals.

Abstract: A first vehicle includes a first device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second signals, generating a corrected first vehicle signal, and transmitting the corrected first vehicle signal. A second vehicle includes a second device for receiving GPS signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first signal, and calculating from the corrected first and second vehicle signals the likelihood that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.

Abstract: An alert notification system for customers and sales personnel in a shopping area and a method of use is disclosed. In a first aspect, a system for alerting customers and sales personnel that merchandise has been left in a shopping area is disclosed. The system comprises a merchandise detector for detecting merchandise purchased by a customer and a customer detector for detecting whether the customer has left the merchandise. The system further includes a notification system responsive to the customer and merchandise detectors for alerting the customer when the customer has left the purchased merchandise. In a second aspect, the method comprises detecting the presence of merchandise associated with a customer via a second detector and detecting whether the customer has left the merchandise via a second detector. The method further includes alerting the customer, responsive to the first and second detectors, via a notification mechanism if the customer has left the merchandise.

Abstract: A system for providing directed advertising or informational messages specific to individual persons or vehicles. The system encompasses a sensing and evaluation mechanism to detect persons or vehicles, in conjunction with a billboard or other display device capable of delivering a message specific to one or more individuals.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel information obtaining apparatus for obtaining wheel information relating to a wheel of a vehicle. The apparatus includes: (a) a wheel state detector which detects a state of the wheel; (b) a transmitter which is provided on the wheel and which transmits a wheel data set containing a wheel state data representing the detected state of the wheel and a wheel identification data identifying the wheel; (c) a receiver which is provided on a vehicle body and which receives the wheel data set transmitted by the transmitter; (d) a data processor which processes the wheel data set received by the receiver; and (e) a communication-intensity reducing device which reduces a transmission strength of the transmitter or/and a reception sensitivity of the receiver, such that the transmission strength or/and the reception sensitivity is lower when the data processor is in an identification-data registering mode, than when the data processor is in a wheel-state data obtaining mode.

Abstract: A label comprises an electronic circuit at its underside. The electronic circuit is adapted to be at least partially adhered directly to an object, such as a commodity. If the label is removed from the commodity the electronic circuit remains at least partially sticking to the commodity, so that the label has no longer a functional electronic circuit. Product counterfeiting by exchanging of labels can thus be detected.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic field detection device that makes use of a frequency characteristic affording circuit in order to selectively detect magnetic signals from a frequency domain accurately at a high level of sensitivity. The present invention has a magneto-impedance element, a detector coil and a negative feedback coil which is wound around the magneto-impedance element, and a frequency characteristic affording circuit which affords a frequency characteristics on the negative feedback signal of a negative feedback connecting an output terminal thereof with the negative feedback coil. Using filters as the frequency characteristic affording circuit, the following are possible uses of this magnetic field detection device: a geomagnet detection device for earthquake prediction (using a high-pass filter), a bill validation apparatus for vending machines, etc. (using a low-pass filter), and a magnetic oscillation detection device for a magnetic gate system (using a band-reject filter).