Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for providing optical wavelength adding/dropping. The arrangement includes two duplicated-port waveguide grating routers (WGR) and a plurality of attenuator-switches. The first WGR is configured as a 1×2N demultiplexer and the other as a 2N×1 multiplexer. Each WGR includes a duplicated plurality of input or output waveguides, wherein respective pairs of each plurality have substantially identical spectral characteristics. The first plurality of output waveguides of the first WGR is coupled to the first plurality of input waveguides of the second WGR. Attenuator-switches are inserted between these two pluralities of waveguides that can be used to block incident optical wavelengths corresponding to channels to be terminated at the node where the arrangement is provided. The second plurality of output waveguides in the first WGR are drop waveguides where dropped channels exist.

Abstract: Pyroelectric detector systems may be used in vehicles for security applications, such as intrusion detection and anti-theft alarms. The pyroelectric detectors are small in size, highly reliable and consume very low power. They can be physically and electrically integrated with other vehicle components, including rear-view mirror assemblies in automobiles, without incurring additional installation costs. They can also be easily integrated into aircraft cockpits.

Abstract: A vehicle system is disclosed that includes a vehicle lamp assembly including a plurality of LEDs that emit white light so as to function as an illuminator light. The lamp assembly also may include a plurality of LEDs that emit colored light, such as red or red-orange, so as to function as a signal light. Alternatively or additionally, the lamp assembly may include a camera of a vehicle imaging system. The lamp assembly may serve as a center high mounted stop light or as a tail light. The system also includes a controller that rapidly pulses the LEDs on and off at a rate that is imperceivable by the human eye. The pulsing intervals of the LEDs may be related to the readout intervals of the camera sensor array. In this manner, the LEDs may be pulsed on during camera readout so as to increase their intensity while the camera is capturing an image, or may be pulsed off during camera readout to prevent feedback glare from interfering with image capture by a highly sensitive image sensor array of the camera.

Abstract: A networked-based remotely-controlled power switch device is proposed, which can be coupled to an electricity-powered system, such as a personal computer (PC), a TV, or a video recorder, to allow the electricity-powered system to be powered ON or OFF through remote control by a remote computer system via a network system, such as Internet, Ethernet, or PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). This power switch device allows a user without an Internet account to be nevertheless able to use a remote PC system for remote ON/OFF control of the electricity-powered system. Further, in addition to instant ON/OFF control, this power device also allows the user to perform scheduled ON/OFF control to the electricity-powered system so that the electricity-powered system can be automatically powered ON or OFF at a specified time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating various entities, including animate human beings and animals, as well as inanimate objects, such as, for example, certain types of plastics, observes and detects a force and subsequent resulting torque, acceleration, vibration or other measurable quantifiable manifestation of the force created by the non-uniform three-dimensional electric field spatial gradient pattern exhibited uniquely by the entity or object. Incorporation of laser energy enhances detection. Specifically, the inclusion of laser radiation enhances a dielectrokinetic effect by creating a localized region of significantly higher dielectric constant via absorption of the laser radiation by the air, and other properties which in turn significantly increases the dielectrophoretic force and resulting torque, and lowers the response time by preferentially directionally orienting or channeling the non-uniformity of the electric field line generated by the entity or object target towards the laser beam region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10) which includes a plurality of transmitters (12) associated with tires (T(1), T(2), T(3), and T(4)) of a vehicle (V) and a receiver (14) in radio communication with the plurality of transmitters. At each tire, data is collected (82), the data being representative of a tire characteristic, such as tire pressure. Data representative of the tire characteristic is transmitted (86). After a time delay (94, 96) next data are transmitted (98) until a predetermined number of data words have been transmitted. The time delay for each respective data word is defined according to a repeating pattern common to the plurality of tires so that data words are transmitted during a plurality of aperiodic time windows.

Abstract: Upon receipt of a direction indication control signal s11, a sounding-body driving circuit 12 generates a driving signal s16 for generating a flashing operation sound which is an artificial striking sound similar to a striking sound of a mechanical relay. The driving signal s16 is output to a speaker 16 via an amplifier 14, and the flashing operation sound is outputted from the speaker 16, thereby obtaining the flashing operation sound which does not sound unusual to the driver. The sounding-body driving circuit 12 enables a plurality of rectangular wave signals having the same amplitude and different frequencies to be synthesized in sequence of time by first and second synthetic signal generating circuits 20A and 20B to thus generate first and second synthetic signals s14 and s15 as artificial striking sounds.

Abstract: A dual-igniter airbag control switch is provided for a motor vehicle airbag system having a module with a plurality of igniters for causing an airbag to inflate, a diagnostic monitor that determines if a collision is occurring and initiates the igniters, and first and second wires extending between each of the igniters and the monitor for conveying signals between the module and the monitor. The control switch comprises a manually operable switch having portions connected to each of the first wires, for selectively providing continuity in the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an on position and breaking continuity of the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an off position.

Abstract: A retrofittable automatic turn signal deactivation system is provided including a pair of solenoid assemblies each having a retracted orientation and an extended orientation only upon the actuation thereof for forcing a turn signal lever to its neutral position. The solenoid assemblies are each mounted on a retrofittable collar which is positioned about a steering column of the vehicle. A timer mechanism is included for actuating at least one of the solenoid assemblies only after the cessation of a predetermined delay.

Abstract: A combined power and communication delivery system for installation at or beyond the demarcation point in a residential or business building is described. The system has a power input module and a plurality of traditional voice and data communication wires, one pair of the wires being an unused voice or data communication line and being connected to the power input module thereby making the one pair a current-carrying line, and the plurality of wires terminating at at least one female multi-wire telephone jack. The system further having at least one power-communication cable, having a first end being a male multi-wire plug to releasably engage the female multi-wire telephone jack, a second end partially depending from the first end carrying one or more voice and data communication transmission lines, and a third end partially depending from the first end to transmit current from the current-carrying line.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle has a number of airbags (100-106) typically sited within a recess (108) in paneling of a vehicle (V). To avert the possibility of extensive damage caused by an impact, the airbags are selectively deployed. Each airbag (100-106) has a multi-chambered structure (118-122). The multi-chambered structure of each airbag is further arranged such that the chambers are rupturable separately from one another and are not of a vented type. More preferable, the individual chambers (118-122) are rupturable at different pressures whereby an airbag as a whole provides a cascade of energy absorbing impacts.

Abstract: A multi-optical-axis photoswitch incorporating a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit between which a multiplicity of optical axes exist. In the multi-optical-axis photoswitch, the ratio of the number of optical axes in which the quantity of received light exceeds a predetermined threshold value with respect to the number of all of optical axes is displayed by a plurality of display lamps disposed concentrically, in particular, by a bar graph. Thus, the operation can be indicated such that movement must be performed in a direction in which the value of the bar graph is increased.

Abstract: A traffic sign warning light is used for providing a visual signal of the traffic sign. The traffic sign warning light has a body section for supporting the traffic warning light on a traffic sign. Lighting units are coupled to the body section. The lighting units provide a visual warning of the traffic sign.

Abstract: Measuring and/or control system (1) for detection of the distance of an object (2) or of a person from a predetermined reference point, with a first transmitting/receiving device (10) for generation and wireless transmission of a control signal to a separate second transmitting and/receiving device (30), as well as for receipt of an acknowledgment signal generated from the second transmitting/receiving device (30) upon receipt of the control signal, whereby both of the transmitting/receiving devices display on the transmitting side a signal source (23, 24, 25, 26) that generates as a control and/or as an acknowledgment signal, pulses that display during the duration of the pulse a monotonically falling or rising frequency, or that consists of a super-position of these types of pulses in pairs, the other current transmitting/receiving device (10, 30) displaying on the receiving side for time compression of the received pulses, at least one dispersion filter (11) having a predetermined frequency-dependent signa

Abstract: Provided is an object detection apparatus, which includes a light emission device irradiating an object with light at a wavelength having less disturbance, and a light reception device including a filter that permits light having the aforementioned wavelength to pass, for receiving reflected light from the object. When the disturbance is sunlight, the light having a wavelength whereat the spectral radiative illuminance is damped is employed in accordance with the spectral characteristic of sunlight. In one embodiment, an object detection apparatus, which is mounted in a vehicle, employs, as an object, the eyes of a crew member in the vehicle, and obtains reflected images of the crew member's corneas and retinas to calculate the observed point viewed by the crew member.

Abstract: A motion detection system for detecting an object's movement through a threshold in a selected direction comprises first and second transmitters for producing respective broadcast signals across the threshold along respective transmission paths, a receiver circuitry operative in an absence of movement through the threshold to receive the broadcast signals and generate a receiver circuitry reference signal, and operative upon interruption of both broadcast signals within a selected period of time to generate receiver circuitry interrupted output corresponding to movement of the object, respectively, through first and second transmission paths. Processing circuitry monitors the receiver circuitry and operates upon detection of the receiver circuitry interrupted output to produce an event detection signal, and output circuitry responds to generate selected output, thereby indicating movement of the object through the threshold in one of two movement directions.

Abstract: A vehicle status device and system for remotely updating and monitoring the status of a vehicle. The vehicle status device is located in a vehicle and reports status information for the vehicle and an owner to an interrogating unit. The device includes a database of status information for the vehicle and owner. An update receiver in the device receives updated information from a wide area paging network for storage in the database. An interrogation receiver receives an interrogation signal from the interrogating unit, and a response transmitter transmits encoded status information, including a vehicle identification (VID), to the interrogating unit in response. The updating and monitoring system also includes an interrogating unit which includes an interrogation transmitter for transmitting the interrogation signal to the vehicle status device, and a response receiver for receiving the encoded status information from the vehicle status device.

Abstract: A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control circuit of a vibrating membrane excited by a solenoid in series with a d.c. supply and a controlled switch. A capacitor is disposed across a series circuit including the solenoid and the switch associated with opening means in the vicinity of a zero crossing of the current in the inductance.