Abstract: An electric whistle has a power circuit, an inductor, an electric switch, a buzzer, a tone-set resistor and a sound IC. The sound IC generates an audio control signal to activate the electric switch. When the electric switch is activated, the inductor produces an induction voltage to activate the buzzer. The oscillation frequency of the audio control signal is determined by the single tone-set resistor without a capacitor. Therefore, few passive devices are used. The electric whistle of the present invention is compact and portable.

Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on an article of PPE includes the steps of providing an article of PPE configured with a first smart tag to a first individual prior to performance of a first task; processing the article of PPE in a first cycle after the first individual performs the first task; and retrieving first information from the first smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE in the first cycle. The method further includes the steps of providing the article of PPE configured with a second smart tag to a second individual prior to performance of a second task; processing the article of PPE in a second cycle after the second individual performs the second task; and retrieving second information from the second smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE in the second cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for searching physical objects is described and claimed. The system may include one or more tags, each tag being disposed on one associated object; one or more substations, each substation arranged for communication with tags located within a range around each substation; and one or more base stations, each base station arranged for communication with substations located within a range around each base station. An interrogation engine may reside in each base station for interrogating, in response to a search query, the substations within the range around each base station, to determine whether a search object of the search query is within the range around the respective substations.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: An authorization system for permitting an apparatus to function normally in the presence of an authorized user includes complementary apparatus and user parts of a wireless communication device, which communicate within a spatial envelope defining a permissible working relationship and communication link for authorizing normal functioning of the apparatus. The system responds to interruption of the communications link with the apparatus inhibited from normal functioning after a delay, as measured in time or distance, that permits a separation to be established between the user and the apparatus, so that if the apparatus is forcibly taken from the authorized user, the user's safety is not jeopardized by the proximity of the non-functional apparatus. Inhibition of functionality may include a vehicle, or any apparatus, becoming immobile or constrained as to maximum operating speed.

Abstract: A wireless control system includes a device for sending a wireless signal, a receiver for receiving the wireless signal, and circuitry for processing the wireless signal. The circuitry includes a learn mode in which a device is associated with the control signal to the exclusion of commands from other devices not associated with the circuitry. The device transmits a wireless signal redundantly over a plurality of frequencies. The control system may chooses a signal frequency and receiver combination to maintain a quality signal.

Abstract: A door locking system is provided for a motor vehicle. The door locking system includes, but is not limited to a mechanical door opening safety catch and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by a manual activation of the mechanical door opening safety catch. A motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a vehicle body, a rear vehicle door that is linked on the vehicle body and facing away from a vehicle travel direction, the rear vehicle door configured to pivot, a door opening safety catch configured to be mechanically activate upon the pivot of the rear vehicle door, and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by the mechanical activation of the door opening safety catch.

Abstract: In further development of U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,540 B1, an audible signal device including a microprocessor or microcontroller and a sounder element, or a microprocessor or microcontroller in conjunction with electronic circuitry such as discrete components, inductors, or IC's with a sounder element where the resulting sound pressure level is controlled by changing the drive signal's frequency, size, shape, and/or duty cycle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for tracking and monitoring high-value goods by scanning RFID tags associated with the goods. A central monitoring service verifies both the RFID tags and the devices used to scan the tags against a database of known and trusted tags and scanning devices. Local and centralized security protocols provide improved security and data integrity.

Abstract: An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit.

Abstract: A collision detector includes a chamber, a pressure sensor, and a bumper absorber. The chamber defines a hollow space, and the pressure sensor detects a pressure in the hollow space. The bumper absorber absorbs impact caused by a collision of an object with a vehicle, and covers an outer periphery of the chamber. The chamber and the bumper absorber are interposed with a gap in an entire width of the vehicle. In case of collision, the chamber is not bound by the bumper absorber deformed by the impact of the collision, thereby enabling an accurate detection of the collision of the vehicle with the object.

Abstract: A breakaway RFID tag is configured such that it includes part of a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCB). Thus, the breakaway RFID tag can be used to track the PCB as it migrates through a manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the RFID tag can be assembled first and then used to track the PCB as it is populated with components and installed into larger assemblies and ultimately into the end device. Once the PCB is installed into a larger assembly or the end device, the breakaway RFID tag is configured such that it can be broken off and attached to the outside of the larger assembly or end device.

Abstract: A method for controlling appliances includes a wearing step, a swinging step and a controlling step. The control device is attached to a movable part of a user's body and the user swings the movable part to generate and send a control signal to the appliance so as to activate and control the appliance. The method is also helpful for rehabilitation to disable people.

Abstract: A device for detecting a vehicle passing by a vehicle in the dark. A camera detects a light cone that is moving at a lateral offset relative to the vehicle. An analyzer device assigns the relatively moving light cone to the passing vehicle.

Abstract: A first electronic device (201) can gather information about itself or another electronic device (206, 208), which is preferably situated within a same room of a user premises. This information can come from an RF-ID tag (204, 207, 209) or other transmitter. The information can relate to a state or identity of the other device. The first electronic device can alter program behavior (309, 409, 509) in response to the state or identity. The program might be an entertainment type program or a software type program. The information can be used to select brand specific program code (604, 605, 606) for execution.

Abstract: A lock system that unlocks a lock with an unlock signal, prevents malfunction of locking or unlocking, and reduces power consumption of a receiving unit side that receives the unlock signal. The lock system avoids radio wave interference of the unlock signal and prevents malfunction of locking or unlocking by providing irregularity in a transmission timing of the unlock signal to a device that unlocks a lock with the unlock signal. In regard to a reception of the unlock signal, the lock system sets a receiving window by setting a reception-ON time and a reception-OFF time, and by stopping an operation of the receiving unit except during the reception-ON time, reduction of power consumption can be achieved.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with blind spot detection and rear crossing path collision warning system. Programmable maximum range limit radar sensors mounted on the vehicle are used to provide blind spot object detection warning when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction and rear crossing path collision warning when the vehicle is traveling in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A modular environment for a vehicle. The modular environment may include a configurable service space with a mounting system within the vehicle that has a number of modules configured to releaseably engage the mounting system. The module environment also may include a service space control system able to electronically communicate with and identify at least one of the modules. The modular environment may also include an arch framework that supports a number of fixed modules and a number of configurable modules. A further embodiment is shown of a method for using a service space control system that controls a modular environment for a vehicle having a configurable service, and including a mounting system configured to releaseably engage a number of modules in a service space. The service space control system electronically communicates with and can identify at least one of the modules and limit its use to only authorized users.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for ways of locating tags are described. A power level of a RFID communication signal transmitted by a RFID device, such as a reader, is adjusted to hone in on a specific tag. For example, the power level may be decreased or increased, depending on the situation, to hone in on the tag. The RFID device may be repositioned to aid in further honing in on the tag. Transmitting RFID communication signals, adjusting transmit power levels, and repositioning the RFID device may be iterated as needed to hone in on the tag.

Abstract: The location of a transponder or micro-transponder (MT) device can be determined relative to a remote locator (RL) device. The RL transmits a multi-frame ping to the MT when initiated by a user. The MT receives the multi-frame ping, and transmits a multi-frame reply that can be hollowed out to conserve transmit power and reduce interference between devices. The RL calculates a distance between the RL and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission of a ping and the receipt of a reply. The user designates one or more threshold ranges for the MT relative to the RL. The RL provides a user alert whenever the MT travels outside a threshold range. Alerts can be provided through a number of mechanisms including an audible alert, a visible alert, a vibrating alert, an email message, an SMS message, an instant message, a pager message, a telephone call, etc.