Abstract: The device of this invention has a deployable signalling or display structure for displaying messages on a display area of the structure to signal an event that exists within the building, including a distress event. The messages are provided by indicia placed on a display area of the structure. The signalling structure is large enough to be easily seen by persons who approach the entrance to the building, as well as persons at a safe distance from the building. The deployable signalling structure is stored within an enclosure adapted for installation to a portion of the building with a deployment opening directed to an exterior location away from the building. The signalling structure is deployed by forcing a fluid into the structure by way of a supply conduit from a deployment unit. A control valve is used to control the supply of fluid to the signalling structure from the deployment unit and to maintain the signalling structure deployed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for locating objects are disclosed. An electronic tag is attached to an object before storing the object. The electronic tag is identifiable by a unique response code. The response code and information pertaining to the object are recorded and the object may then be stored. To locate the object, the response code is entered into an interrogator. The interrogator sends a signal that causes the tag to emit a sound. The system thus allows for random storage of objects and is also useful for locating misplaced objects.

Abstract: An alarm system for boat covers is shown which deters the removal or the slicing of said cover. A perimeter circuit embedded into the hem of the cover is used in conjunction with specially adapted snap receptacles for cover removal protection. When snapped, the specially adapted snap receptacles act as closed switches in the perimeter circuit, and when unsnapped they act as open switches in the perimeter circuit. The cover is protected from slicing by circuitry affixed thereto. In the preferred embodiment a conduction grid made of a high-resistance material is affixed to the cover. A microprocessor constantly monitors the resistance and trips the alarm when the resistance substantially changes. The microprocessor is also capable of detecting resistance changes in the perimeter circuit if high-resistance wire is used for that circuit. In an alternative embodiment, wire electrical circuits are affixed to the surface of the boat cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying the sampling frequency of a Doppler effect device, based on environmental conditions, is described comprising: (i) a transmitter for transmitting energy into a protected area; (ii) a receiver for receiving energy reflected from the protected area and for transforming the received energy into a motion detection signal which is proportional to any Doppler energy received by the receiver; (iii) a processor responsive to the motion detection and operative to automatically modify the sampling frequency when the motion detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the apparatus has not been operated at each of a plurality of sampling frequencies; and (iv) an alarm coupled to the processor activated when the motion detection signal exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the apparatus has been operated at each of the plurality of sampling frequencies.

Abstract: A meter-module is compactly and integrally formed by a combination meter 1, an electric junction box 2 and a switching unit 3. Meters and indication lamps are mounted on the combination meter 1. A circuitry for controlling module components is incorporated into the electric junction box 2. Various kinds of switches are incorporated into the switch unit 3. Connectors 6, 6' and 8 and so forth, are provided for the outer wall 2a of the electric junction box 2 and electrical connection is carried out between the connectors thereof and connectors in respect to both the combination meter 1 and the switch unit 3. The combination meter 1, the electric junction box 2 and the switch unit 3 are removably integrated by engaging guide grooves 5, 5' of the electric junction box 2 with a guide projection 11 of the combination meter 1.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the operativeness of a squib in an active restraint system wherein the squib has a resistance value, when operative, within a predetermined range of resistance values. The squib is connected in series with a firing circuit to a first source of electrical energy. A monitoring circuit includes a second source of electrical energy and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a biasing resistor network and a reference resistor network, both networks being operatively connected to the second source of electrical energy. The biasing resistor network establishes a flow of test current through the squib, the test current being the only continuous non-actuating current through the squib. The biasing resistor network establishes a test voltage value at one terminal of the squib. The monitoring circuit further includes a comparator for comparing the test voltage value at the one terminal of the squib against the squib reference voltage value of the reference resistor network.

Abstract: A structure movement monitoring and emergency alarm system is disclosed utilizing a convention surveyor's laser transit. The transit is leveled and positioned to "shoot" across a structure that requires emergency monitoring, such as a building wall. The vertical reference position being established by the light beam, a video camera system is utilized to maintain a real-time image of the monitored area through the telescope of the transit. Using a computer for comparing, monitoring, and alarming, this visual image is digitized and referenced with a comparison grid. At regular intervals, a new visual image is compared to the reference grid to determine the location of the structure, as well as any relative movement from the reference position. Audio and visual alarms can then be activated immediately upon the determination that the position of the monitored structure has changed past acceptable limits.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for prompting pedestrians to look and listen for turning vehicles includes an animated pictorial message formed in the image of a pair of scanning eyes (46,48) and generated by a pedestrian signal control (54) connected to a pedestrian signal display (32). The image (46,48) can be activated by a traffic control (52) or a motion detector (64) connected to the pedestrian signal control (54). A voice circuit (56) and speakers (58) connected to the pedestrian signal control (54) generate an audible message at the same time the image (46,48) is being displayed.

Abstract: The duty ratio range of a duty signal DCN transmitted from a high-voltage load controller 12 to a field current controller 103 is divided into several subranges, which are assigned to zones, such as a normal voltage control zone, high-voltage control zone, and power generation stop and failure signal zone. The duty signal of a duty ratio in each zone is transmitted to the field current controller 103 for controlling the power generation mode of a generator 2. When a failure in a high-voltage circuit 16 is detected, the duty signal of a duty ratio in the power generation stop and failure signal zone causes power generation of the generator to stop and a pilot lamp 10 to go on for warning. The pilot lamp 10 is also used to warn the operator to a power generation error of the generator 2.

Abstract: A holder for a personal alert safety system (PASS) has a bracket to receive the PASS, and a housing connected to the bracket. An additional activation switch is installed in the PASS, the additional switch being magnetically operable. The housing is connected to the air line of a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). A piston or diaphragm is urged in one direction by air pressure, and is urged in the opposite direction by a spring in the absence of air under pressure. When the piston is moved in the one direction, a magnet is disposed adjacent to the additional switch, and when the piston is moved in the opposite direction by the spring, the magnet is removed from adjacent to the additional switch so the PASS is automatically activated by the presence of air pressure in an activated SCBA. The PASS can be used without the SCBA and can be activated manually as is conventional, either attached to or removed from the SCBA.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a pair of eyeglasses including a signaling mechanism coupleable to a containment envelope of a pair of eyeglasses. The signalling mechanism is manually actuatable. For connecting the envelope to a recipient surface, a couple is included. A small locator is included having a clip with a first arcuate end coupled to the rear surface thereof and a second free linear end for releasably coupling to a side section of the eyeglasses. The locator is adapted to provide a locating indication upon the manual activation of the signalling mechanism. Lastly, an ornamental locator with a structure identical to that of the locator is included. The ornamental locator is adapted to be releasably coupled to another side section of the pair of eyeglasses thereby aesthetically and mechanically balancing the pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: An alarm system as a support of an elevated floor, whose plurality of pressure sensing devices are installed as a support outside the floor of the protection area, wherein a pressure sensing device comprises: a cover in direct contact with the lower side of the floor; a vessel, mounted below the cover, having a basin in its middle below the cover, to be filled with liquid, the basin of the vessel having a hole, through which the liquid can flow; a seal, inserted between the cover and said vessel along the circumference of the basin to impermeably seal the basin, said cover and said vessel being not in contact with each other to leave a gap for the cover to move down; an elastic membrane, which is mounted tightly on the vessel at the place of the opening of the hole; and a sensor, which is in contact with the elastic membrane to sense the deformation of this membrane under the pressure of said liquid; whereat, when an external weight exerts pressure on the floor, the cover, having undergone pressure, in turn p

Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a plurality of vehicle sensors; an alarm indicator for indicating an alarm at the vehicle; and a controller for generating a first full duration alarm responsive to an initial triggering of a first vehicle sensor after the controller entered the armed mode, and for generating a first reduced duration alarm relative to the first full duration alarm and responsive to a subsequent consecutive triggering of the first vehicle sensor after the initial triggering of the first vehicle sensor. First and second sensors may be alternately zoned in and out if each is triggered a predetermined number of times. In other words, the controller may zone out the first vehicle sensor after a predetermined number of consecutive triggerings thereof, and zone out a second vehicle sensor responsive to a predetermined number of consecutive triggerings thereof and after zoning out of the first vehicle sensor.

Abstract: A combined motion detector/transmitter device for a traffic information warning system is disclosed. The device includes first and second oscillators for transmitting first and second carrier signals, respectively. The first carrier signal has a first carrier signal frequency and the second carrier signal has a second carrier signal frequency. The carrier signals are used to transmit a message regarding a traffic situation based upon either the magnitude of the frequency difference between the first and second carrier signal frequencies or the specific frequency locations of the carrier signals. The first and second oscillators also set up first and second disturbance fields, respectively. A first reflected signal receiver is associated with the first oscillator and receives a first reflected signal when a target is within the first disturbance field.

Abstract: A vehicular variable brake light intensity system including at least one light situated on a vehicle. Also included is a brake pedal potentiometer with a pair of contacts. The resistivity between the contacts is adapted to change as function of the motion of the brake arm during braking. Control circuitry is adapted to allow the brake lights to emit light with an intensity which is a function of the amount of deceleration in a first mode of operation. Also, in a second mode of operation, the control circuitry is adapted to actuate the light intermittently upon the deceleration surpassing a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An automobile front-wheel orientation and turning-angle indicator is arranged at the center of the steering wheel to indicate the orientation and turning-angle of the front-wheel. The indicator comprises a rotating disk, a scale disk, an indicator disk, and a housing. Wherein the scale disk has a dead weight to maintain at all times a constant orientation. A rotating disk is located at the lower part of the whole indicator and is mounted on the steering wheel. The indicator is driven by the rotating disk through transmission means, so as to produce a rotation relative to the scale disk, and to achieve the purpose of indicating orientation and turning-angle of the front-wheel.

Abstract: A bus light system (10) includes a plurality of indicator assemblies (16) located at each upper end corner of a bus (12). Each of the indicator assemblies (16) include first and third sections (24, 28) for indicating a slowing-to-stop condition which include illuminated word messages of CAUTION and STOPPING. Second and fourth sections (26, 34) indicate a stop condition which include illuminated word messages of DO NOT PASS and STOP. The first and third sections alternately flash during the slowing of the bus (12), while the second and fourth sections alternately flash during stopping of the bus (12) for loading and unloading.