Patents Examined by Michael F. Heim
  • Patent number: 4556885
    Abstract: A system for detecting mechanical movement of a body under detection formed of: a synchro generator having a primary and a secondary windings, one of which is capable of being coupled to the body; an exciting circuit for providing exciting current to the primary winding; a reference signal generator for providing a reference signal of a predetermined frequency; a first circuit producing pulses at a frequency which changes depending on the phase difference between the reference signal and the signal induced in the secondary winding; and a frequency-divider counting the pulses and producing a first digital signal indicative of the count value at each moment. The first digital signal is supplied to the exciting circuit which determines the instantaneous value of the exciting current at each moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryoichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 4556864
    Abstract: A carrier current transceiver includes a transmitter section and a receiver section coupled to an AC power line. In the transmit mode, input data in the form of a logical "0" enables a carrier frequency signal to excite a tuned cavity. The tuned circuit includes a first winding of transformer, a capacitor and a damping resistor. A second winding of the transformer is capacitively coupled to the AC power line to produce a stepped down carrier current signal to represent a transmitted logical "0". A logical "1" is represented by absence of the carrier current signal. In the receive mode, a small carrier current signal representing a logical "0" is received via the AC line and is stepped up by the transformer and capacitively coupled to an input of the receiver section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph J. Roy
  • Patent number: 4555690
    Abstract: An oscillator and frequency divider provide a plurality of different frequency signals in response to any indication of vehicle abnormality. A plurality of switches indicate vehicle status such as a door, ignition and the like. A gate circuit having a plurality of gates passes one of said frequency signals at any one time in response to the particular vehicle abnormality indicated by a control circuit responsive to the switches. An alarm signal is generated having a frequency that is a function of the signal passed through the gate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoneharu Fukushima, Kiyoshi Wakai
  • Patent number: 4554543
    Abstract: A glide slope indicator system in which light from an incoming aircraft's landing light is shaped by spherical/cylindrical lens combination into a line image which strikes a linear photodiode array. By determining which photodiode in the array the center of the line image strikes, the glide slope angle can be determined. An appropriate signal is communicated to the pilot via a pair of indicator lights mounted on the runway depending upon whether the aircraft is above, below or on the desired glide slope angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Ivan S. Wyatt, Harry L. Task
  • Patent number: 4553127
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rechargeable battery (A) having positive and negative terminals (18, 20). A wiring system (B) connects the battery with various electrical devices of the automobile including a starter motor (92). An access control circuit (C) selectively controls the passage of electric power from the battery to the wiring system. The access control circuit includes a current limiting circuit (70) for limiting the passage of current to a first current level which is insufficient to operate the starter motor and a high level current passing circuit (60) for passing current at a second level which is sufficiently high to operate the starter motor. A current level selection circuit (80) selectively enables the current limiting circuit and the high level current passing circuit to pass current from the battery to the electrical wiring system at one of the first and second levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Inventor: Darrell E. Issa
  • Patent number: 4550889
    Abstract: Reversal of the established traffic direction is initiated by a request for an entering train movement at the existing exit end of the single track stretch. This deenergizes the adjacent traffic line circuit section in the new direction. Line circuit deenergization cascades section by section through the stretch to the other end. At each location, the active traffic direction register relay is deenergized but the magnetic stick traffic relay holds in its established traffic position. At the new exit end, reception of the deenergization signal reverses positions of the traffic and direction register relays if the new approach track circuit is clear. This initiates the transmission of line circuit energy in the opposite direction. At each intermediate location, reception of this opposite direction line energy energizes the other direction register relay if the approach track circuit is clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Emmel
  • Patent number: 4551723
    Abstract: A warning system for providing an aural warning to the pilot of a rotary wing aircraft monitors the altitude above ground and barometric descent rate of the aircraft and generates the warning if the descent rate of the aircraft is excessive for the altitude at which the aircraft is flying. The system provides two distinct warnings, one being an early warning advising the pilot of a hazardous condition, and the other being a warning alerting the pilot of imminent danger. The system also includes tactical and non-tactical modes of operation, wherein the warning criteria are adjusted to meet tactical and non-tactical flight conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Noel S. Paterson
  • Patent number: 4550317
    Abstract: A drive guide system for guiding a motor vehicle from a start point to a destination point by displaying a travel locus of the motor vehicle on a map is disclosed. A drive route map from the start point to the destination point is divided into a plurality of sections and they are stored in a memory. When a position of the motor vehicle reaches or approaches an outline of the map section displayed on a display screen, the drive route map section on the display screen is switched to the one corresponding to the direction of travel to be followed by the motor vehicle in accordance with a current azimuth of travel of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Moriyama, Takao Saito
  • Patent number: 4549180
    Abstract: A process variable transmitter including a plurality of process variable detector units for detecting a primary process variable to be measured and secondary process variables not to be measured but which affect the primary process variable, a memory circuit for storing detected outputs supplied from the process variable detector units, a circuit for reading the detected outputs out of the memory circuit and then correcting the detected output indicative of the primary process variable based on the detected outputs indicative of the secondary process variables, and a power supply control for intermittently supplying electric power to the process variable detector units and the correcting circuit. The process variable transmitter corrects the primary process variable to precision and consumes a reduced amount of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 4549182
    Abstract: Users need to be encouraged to return vehicles such as airport baggage trolleys or supermarket trolleys to a vehicle storage area. The area is equipped with an entrance fitted with a system for dispensing a reward for each vehicle returned to the area. The system comprises detector means (16, 17) for detecting the presence of a vehicle at the entrance to the storage area, control means for determining whether a vehicle has been effectively returned (and not just passed back-and-forth past the detector means), and means (23) for dispensing a reward such as a ticket exchangeable for a benefit of some kind for each returned vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Supermarket Systems
    Inventor: Guy Gillet
  • Patent number: 4545240
    Abstract: To determine aquaplaning or, in general, the adhesion factor of tires of a vehicle on a road surface, test braking pressure (p.sub.1, p.sub.2, p.sub.3, p.sub.4) is applied to a wheel or wheels, preferably the rolling wheels, of a vehicle. Wheel slip, that is, difference between deceleration of a wheel and deceleration of the vehicle is determined upon application of the test pressure, and an output signal is generated, indicated of wheel slippage, if a given wheel slip occurs at a test pressure below that which would be expected on a gripping or rough surface, so that wheel slippage with respect to the road surface is determined early. The test braking cycle can be initiated manually (switch 12) by an operator, from time to time, and, preferably, can be commanded automatically by an antibrake lock system (ABS, 10) by applying a braking pressure well below that required, for example, for vehicle operation under traffic conditions, and merely to determine wheel slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Leiber
  • Patent number: 4543562
    Abstract: A touchbar or touchplate is supported on its edges by force-sensitive switches, such as push-button switches, each having a plurality of contacts opened or closed at different pressure thresholds. The pattern of which contact conditions of conduction or non-conduction is converted to logic ONES's and ZERO's and decoded to obtain indications to which a plurality of touchpoint regions on the touchbar or touchplate a user applies force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Nils O. Ny
  • Patent number: 4543563
    Abstract: A transparent touchbar or touchplate is supported at its edges by a plurality of push-button switches. A plurality of valid touchpoints exist; and the touching of each can be distinguished, though the number of touchpoints is larger than the number of pushbuttons. This is done by logically combining the responses to the push-button switch closures occasioned by the application of force to any one of the valid touchpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Charles M. Wine
  • Patent number: 4543578
    Abstract: A course guidance apparatus for vehicles has a direction sensor and a speed sensor carried on the vehicle and a traveling locus corresponding to detection signals from the direction sensor and the speed sensor is plotted in a manner to be superposed on a map film and displayed on a projection screen. The traveling locus is traced by a laser beam on a trace plate having electrooptic, optomagnetic, or incoherent-to-coherent light conversion properties. The superposed picture is clearly viewed, and the misregistration between the map and the traveling locus is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tomoyori, Masashi Fuse
  • Patent number: 4538465
    Abstract: An electronic transmitter for transmitting pressure values of industrial process fluids includes an inductive sensor employing a measuring diaphragm which is movable as a function of the pressure changes in the process fluids so as to produce corresponding changes in inductance and therefore corresponding signals which are suitably processed in an associated electronic circuit. The measuring diaphragm is provided with a rigid center forming or carrying one or more elements of a material exhibiting high magnetic permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Kent-Tieghi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Bianchi, Piero Pierpaoli, Riccardo Borelli, Luciano Rainoldi
  • Patent number: 4536746
    Abstract: The present invention can be used either as a joystick controller having three dimensions of control or as a three dimensional pressure sensor for signature verification or other purposes. The invention comprises a flexible web including a first deflection zone which extends between first and second spaced apart points on the web. A second deflection zone extends between third and fourth spaced apart points on the web. The first and second deflection zones intersect to divide each of the zones into first and second sections. A first fixed yoke includes first and second arms which are coupled to the first and second points on the web. A second floating yoke includes first and second arms which are coupled to the third and fourth points on the web. A web deflection device is coupled to the second yoke to transmit the mechanical input deflections to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: The Mercado Venture
    Inventor: Garth W. Gobeli
  • Patent number: 4533900
    Abstract: A service interval display unit for a motor vehicle for alerting the operator of required maintenance wherein actual distance traveled by the vehicle is monitored, and as a factor in determining the service interval, operating parameters such as engine speed, coolant temperature, oil temperature, and/or fuel consumption rate are taken into consideration on a weighted basis to assert earlier a service signal in the display unit when the engine experiences increased periods of higher loads. The display unit includes a series of indicators which are successively extinguished upon attainment of subintervals during the maintenance cycle and warning lights which are energized after attainment of the service interval. Additional warning lights also are provided for emphasizing the expiration of the service interval when the vehicle is operated successive fixed distance intervals beyond the regular service interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Muhlberger, Erwin Starmuhler, Walter Weishaupt, Peter Flohr, Fritz Bourauel
  • Patent number: 4532514
    Abstract: A course guidance system includes a direction sensor and a speed sensor both fitted to a moving body, a display mounted in the moving body and a map displayed in a manner corresponding to the display surface of the display and in which the present position of the moving body is derived by the direction sensor and the speed sensor and is plotted on the display in a manner corresponding to the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Itaru Hatano, Kenji Takahashi, Shigeru Hirosawa, Mikio Kanda, Shinichiro Yasui, Akira Ichikawa, Teruo Mimori, Toshio Sasaki, Tadashi Mukai, Thuneo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4529967
    Abstract: An inductive keyboard, including, printed circuit patterns forming a multiplicity of key excitation patterns and key sensing patterns. The key excitation patterns are divided into groups of excitation patterns formed in rows. The key sensing patterns are divided into groups of sensing patterns formed in columns. Each key excitation pattern has an adjacent complementary key sensing pattern for providing output signals from the sensing patterns in different columns by passing an excitation signal through an individual row of excitation patterns. At least one movable element is located adjacent each pair of complementary key excitation and sensing patterns. The movement of each movable element is between positions close to and away from each pair of complementary patterns to provide for a change in the output signal from the individual key sensing patterns. Printed circuit reference patterns form at least one excitation reference pattern and one sensing reference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas H. Gifft
  • Patent number: 4529961
    Abstract: A wheel-mounted tire pressure sensor employs a Bourdon tube which deforms in relation to tire pressure to drive a pivotal arm. Opposite ends of the arm support magnets which can close reed switches arrayed around the path of travel of the magnets. The reed switches are connected to passive resonators in such a way that for each of a number of regions of travel of the arm, a unique combination of resonators is activated. The resonators are connected to a wheel-mounted antenna which faces a stationary antenna. Frequency signal matching the frequencies of the resonator are sequentially broadcast by the stationary antenna to the resonators, which are excited to oscillate if activated by the corresponding switch or switches. The excited resonator broadcast their frequencies back to the stationary antenna and to a display unit which decodes the combination of resonator frequencies to display the corresponding tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nishimura, Yutaka Suzuki