Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring device (1) with a transmitter unit (2) and a receiver unit (3) for monitoring an area. Slotted cables serve as antennas. According to the invention, a first slotted cable is arranged as a transmitting a antenna (4) for transmitting a pulsed high-frequency signal and a second slotted cable is arranged as a receiving antenna (9) for receiving the reflected signal. The slotted cables are arranged in association with each other and essentially parallel to each other, and the transmitter unit (2) is connected to the first slotted cable at one end of the antenna arrangement and the receiver unit (3) is connected to the second slotted cable at the other end of the antenna arrangement.

Abstract: A rain sensor and a method for installing a rain sensor are provided for a motor vehicle. The rain sensor includes a housing in which at least one printed circuit board is located and which has a light-conducting member, which at least partially closes the housing in the manner of a lid. A plate is located between the light-conducting member and the printed circuit board. During installation, the plate is partially punched through.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and reporting vehicle tire pressure information. The system includes tire pressure monitors mounted to the tires of a vehicle. The tire pressure monitors detect tire pressure information from their respective tires and transmit that information to transponders that are fixedly-mounted to the vehicle. Each tire pressure monitor corresponds to a single transponder. When a tire pressure monitor transmits tire pressure information, the corresponding transponder receives the signal and transmits the tire pressure signal along with a unique transponder identification code to a vehicle central system controller. Based upon the transponder identification code, the central controller associates the tire pressure information with a particular tire location. However, under certain conditions, a transmitted tire pressure signal is received by one or more of the non-corresponding transponders as well as the corresponding transponder.

Abstract: A sensor for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element that is coupled to the inside of the window and having a fastening device, which is glued to the window, wherein the housing part has a fastening part pivotably attached to it, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening device by the clamping tension.

Abstract: The invention concerns a radio-frequency transponder (12) for contact-free identification with a reader (10), comprising: an antenna (24), an analog circuit (25) including a capacitor (32) an AC-DC converter (34), a modulator (40) and a demodulator (38), a logic control circuit (26), a storage unit (27). Said transponder (12) is designed such that: the antenna (24) and the capacitor (32) form together a resonant circuit, the clock extractor (36) processes the first signal (Tx) to extract therefrom a clock signal addressed to said modulator (38) as long as the voltage of said signal (Tx) exceeds a first threshold value, the converter (34) transforms the first signal (Tx) into a rectified signal, to power the transponder (12). The performances of the transponder, and more particularly energy recuperation and data transmission rate, are improved by the fact that the analog circuit comprises two clock extractors, one of low level type (35), the other of the high level type (36).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that provides an estimate of the semiconductor junction temperature of a semiconductor device as a function of the electrical current flowing across the corresponding semiconductor junction. The apparatus includes a current sensor that samples and measures the current flowing across the semiconductor junction and provides an output signal indicative of the measured value to a current-to-temperature converter. The current-to-temperature converter estimates the temperature of the semiconductor junction using equations that include constants empirically derived for the particular device configuration including cooling and mounting methods used with it. The current-to-temperature converter provides an output temperature signal that is compared to a predetermined temperature threshold value, and in the event that the output temperature signal exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold value, an alarm signal is set.

Abstract: Circuit and method for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire in the absence of a receiver are provided. The circuit comprises a coupling circuit that provides capacitance or electromagnetic coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to a microprocessor therein by either, in the case of capacitance coupling, connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses to a valve stem of the tire and an electrical ground. In the case of electromagnetic coupling, by placing a suitable external device proximate the coupling circuit. The stream of pulses carries information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function.

Abstract: A child locating system for detecting if a person, such as a child, is outside of a predetermined radius from a receiving point and for determining the longitudinal position and latitudinal position of such person by utilizing global positioning satellites. The system includes an implantable transceiver that is insertable within the person for receiving a positioning signal from a plurality of global positioning satellites, and a mobile receiver for detecting a location signal from the implantable transceiver.

Abstract: A battery discharge indicator for protecting a storage battery is provided. The battery discharge indicator includes a positive connector that can couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative connector that can couple to a negative terminal of the battery. Also included, is a voltage sensor that couples to the battery via the positive connector and the negative connector and senses a battery terminal voltage. A microprocessor, coupled to the voltage sensor, provides a first alarm signal if a magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a first threshold for a first interval of time and if the magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a second threshold for a second interval of time.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the vacancy of a parking space is described that allows a customer to remotely receive information about parking space availability before arriving at a parking lot or structure. This system allows the customer to determine whether there are parking spaces available to park a vehicle and where such parking space(s) are located before the customer arrives at the parking lot or structure.

Abstract: A danger detecting system has a danger detecting control center, at least one detector, at least one conductor connecting the danger detecting control center with the at least one detector, the danger detecting control center producing an output signal depending on a signal of the detector, the danger detecting control center being composed of a plurality of modules, a bus through which the modules are connected, the danger detecting control center and the modules being formed so that the modules are mountable and/or dismountable during an operation of the danger detecting control center.

Abstract: A battery powered water leak detector and audible alarm are held on a credit card sized plastic board that has sufficient unobstructed area for visible messages, such as advertising, to be printed of otherwise affixed thereon.

Abstract: A locator apparatus for locating a lost wallet, pocketbook, or a purse is disclosed. Other embodiments of the apparatus could be incorporated into other commonly used items such as purses, sunglasses, keys, etc. The apparatus would be a phone chip and speaker combination that would be incorporated into any one of a wide variety of items that are both frequently used and frequently misplaced, such as wallets, pocketbooks, purses, keys, sunglasses or regular glasses, and other such items. The phone chip would be capable of “receiving” a telephone call, at which time, it would activate the speaker, which would begin to make noise. This noise would allow an individual to find the appropriate “lost” or misplaced item quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A home control system for automatic detection and warning of abnormal behavior includes a unit for observing behavior in a predetermined area under surveillance, a unit for processing an output of observed behavior from the unit for observing, and a pattern recognition module for recognizing whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined normal behaviors. The detection of predetermined normal behavior in progress leads to a provision of an anticipatory action. Upon recognition that the observed behavior is abnormal, an alarm signal is triggered to remind the user.

Abstract: A saw cover safety sensing device comprises a protecting cover; a sensing controller at one side of the protecting cover; a control circuit within the sensing controller; the control circuit serving for receiving electric static signals from a human body and emitting control signals; the sensing controller further comprising a power switch, at least one batteries, a plurality of LED lights and a transparent cover; at least one signal sensing wire connected to the sensing controller; each signal sensing wire having a metal foil sheet; one surface of the metal foil sheet being coated with glue so that the metal foil sheets and the signal sensing wires are adhered to the protecting cover; the signal sensing wire and metal foil sheets serving for detecting electric static signals emitted from a human body; and a buzzer connected to the sensing controller; the buzzer buzzes in response to electric static signals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle comprising an access and starting system without manual intervention comprising first means (1) for determining the presence or the absence of an identifier in at least in watching zone outside the vehicle and second means (2) for determining whether the doors are opened or closed and third means (3) for determining whether the motor vehicle engine is running or cut off. The method consists in automatically locking the motor vehicle on successively detecting the following conditions: a door is opened, the engine is not running and all the doors are closed, there is no identifier in the monitoring zone at a time (t), there is an identifier in the monitoring zone at a time (t?1) preceding the time (t) at which the absence of the identifier has been detected.

Abstract: A system for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure includes monitors mounted in the tires, each including a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal, a battery for the transmitter, and a receiver for receiving an initiation signal. Initiators are mounted on-board the vehicle, each initiator associated with one of the tire monitors. Each initiator is for use in generating a low frequency initiation signal for receipt by a tire receiver to cause the transmitter to transmit a tire pressure signal. A vehicle mounted controller activates the initiators in order to generate the low frequency initiation signals, and processes the tire pressure signals to convey tire pressure information to a user. The controller further activates the initiators in order to generate a low frequency electromagnetic field for use in recharging the batteries in the tire monitors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the proper operation of an electronic pet containment transmitter. The transmitter includes an internal short loop antenna that is used to activate the receiver unit when it is brought into close proximity of the transmitter.

Abstract: A controller (1) holds appliance data acquired from an appliance (3) regularly and without loss. A display terminal (2) is capable of moving to other rooms through a receptacle and holds the appliance data acquired from the appliance (3). When there is loss in the appliance data for a part of time period because of a move and the like, the display terminal (2) executes acquisition request to the controller (1) to acquire this non-collected data of the appliance. The controller (1) transmits the appliance data to the display terminal (2) in response to the request of the display terminal (2). The display terminal (2) acquires (or complements) the non-collected data from the controller (1) and display the data.

Abstract: A remote intrusion detection radio appliance includes a housing having a passive motion detector and related circuitry to monitor and warn of unwanted intrusions, by operating an external radio unit or cellular telephone plugged into the appliance. The appliance, when activated, broadcasts an audio output and then monitors an area in which it is located by audio and/or video for an intruder.