Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and indicating the presence of combustion products comprising a first combustion product monitor for monitoring for the presence of a first combustion product and quantifying said first product; a second combustion product monitor for monitoring for the presence of a second combustion product and quantifying said second product; and, an alarm connected to the first and second combustion product monitors for triggering an alarm when an alarm condition is satisfied, said alarm condition being at least one of the group consisting of the quantified presence of the first combustion product exceeding a first-product threshold level and the quantified presence of the second combustion product exceeding a first second-product threshold level; and, the quantified presence of the second combustion product exceeding a second second-product threshold level.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for determining and automatically transmitting a geographic location of a wireless smoke alarm during a potential fire emergency. The wireless smoke alarm includes a smoke alarm interfaced with a wireless transceiver, which operates over an existing wireless telecommunications network. The wireless transceiver can be a cellular processor with an integrated memory for storing emergency identification data. In one mode of operation, upon sensing the presence of smoke, the wireless transceiver automatically transmits stored emergency identification data signals to a dispatch center.

Abstract: EEPROM memory matrix in which column lines are alternatively used as detector lines. A precharge voltage is applied to selected detector lines together with the relevant column line in each case before read-out of the memory columns. If a detector line loses its precharge level during the read-out of the memory cells, light incidence is assumed and a corresponding alarm function is triggered. Preferably column lines adjacent to the column lines that are respectively selected for the data transmission are connected as detector lines.

Abstract: An alarm detection device for monitoring high level signal in a wet well. The alarm detection device includes a fail safe circuit and an emulation circuit. The incoming high level signal is fed into the fail safe circuit and the emulation circuit. The emulated signal from the emulation circuit is fed to an output to a control panel and an alarm system. If there is any problem with the alarm detection device, the fail safe circuit connects the incoming high level signal directly with the output to the control panel and a high impedance signal is generated for the alarm system. The alarm detection device is powered independently from the control panel.

Abstract: A tracking system for identifying contents of a container includes an electromagnetic identification apparatus that provides an electromagnetic signal indicative of a container content data set; a writer for use in encoding the container signal onto the apparatus; a controller for receiving the encoded signal and for storing the signal in a master database storage apparatus; and a reader configured outside the container for communicating with the electromagnetic identification apparatus and for receiving the encoded signal therefrom and corresponding to the container content data signal set.

Abstract: An electronic sensor system for monitoring activity of objects according to the invention is of the type includes a central electronic unit exchanging encoded information through radio frequencies with at least one transponder, associated with an object to be monitored, in order to check for activity, such as its presence in a defined volume, and emitting an alarm when said encoded information received from the transponder directs the central electronic unit to start the alarm. The central electronic unit selectively corresponds with each transponder in the system and controls whether the transponder operates in stand-by mode or an active phase mode.

Abstract: An indicator apparatus facilitates visibility of one or more indicators from multiple angles. The apparatus includes a housing having an outer sidewall portion. The sidewall portion, for example, has a first side extending between two adjacent sides. One or more elongated slots are formed in the sidewall portion. A substantially translucent material is disposed in the slot so that the translucent material is visible from more than one side of the housing, such as the first side and another side through which the slot extends. A light source is operatively associated with the substantially translucent material for illuminating the material. As a result, when the light source illuminates the substantially translucent material, the illuminated translucent material is visible from more than one side of the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one wheel and an associated brake. Especially if the vehicle is traveling down an incline, the brake may overheat from prolonged use. The present invention provides an operator warning device which alerts the operator to a possible or actual brake overheat condition, based on any number of chosen non-temperature vehicle conditions. These conditions may include incline, machine speed, brake application pressure, and brake application duration.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) interrogator is provided that generates pseudo-randomly selected radio frequency interrogation signals for transmission on a first antenna and receives the reflected modulated radio-frequency signals via continuous-wave backscatter from a RFID tag device through a second antenna coupled to a heterodyne receiver where data is extracted. The RFID tag device can be configured to write data as well as have data read therefrom by the interrogator. The frequency-hopping transmission in combination with the heterodyne reception provides higher power levels with substantially reduced interference, as well as the ability to link with bounced signals at certain frequencies, increasing the level of communication in the RFID system.

Abstract: An object that can be sensed by a motion detector is equipped with a small, battery powered transponder. A motion detector has (either internally or externally) a transceiver adapted to provide a query signal. If the object is within range of the query signal, the transponder responds with a transponder signal. The transceiver is responsive to receipt of the transponder signal to prevent the detection of motion from causing an alarm.

Abstract: A remote control transmission monitoring system. A remote control has programming for transmitting a sequence of command codes and a command receiver has programming for determining if the transmission from the remote control included all of the command codes in the sequence of command codes. The programming further functions to generate a signal to cause corrective action to be taken and/or to notify a user that an unsuccessful transmission of the sequence of command codes occurred when the transmission from the remote control is determined to include less than all of the command codes in the sequence of command codes.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.

Abstract: A personal rescue signal system (PRSS) for quickly finding a transmitting target. More specifically, the PRSS includes as a personal rescue signal device (PRSD), worn on a person and emitting a radio frequency signal in an emergency condition. The PRSD is radio frequency coupled to a receiver within a handheld device and/or base unit. The handheld device would serve in directionally locating the PRSD source signal and also for range finding of the PRSD. One main intention of the PRSS is for rescue of firefighters down, or other operations where human life can quickly be put into harm's way.

Abstract: A process deploys detection devices in the carrier vehicles, collection facilities and collection boxes to determine if hazardous materials have deposited. The system is designed to provide detection, identification and measurement of chemical, biological and DNA/RNA elements. When a hazardous material is detected, an alarm notifies the worker. The system communicates with a central monitoring station that receives vehicle ID, GPS positioning and identification of the hazardous material. A HAZMAT team is then dispatched to the vehicle site. Systems that can benefit include carrier vehicles, collection boxes, collection facilities, mail carriers, cargo carriers, freight carriers, package delivery services, express delivery services, etc. The carrier vehicles may include trucks, automobiles, aircraft and ships. The collection boxes may include, containers, mail collection boxes, express delivery collection boxes, etc.

Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting refrigerator door openings is coupled to at least one switch configured to be activated by a door opening. When the door is opened, the switch is activated and inputs a signal to the detection apparatus. The detection apparatus rectifies the signal; and phase-shifts the rectified signal so that it leads or lags the line voltage. The shifted output signal is fed to a processor that detects the opening of the door based upon the shifted signal. Signals output by a plurality of switches that generate a signal when activated mixed using an opto-coupler. Relative impedance of the lead and lag circuits may be adjusted to differentiate a phase shift of one shifted signal relative to another signal. The processor converts a value in degrees of phase shifting of the mixed signal to a time value, and based upon the time value, the processor determines which of the doors is open.

Abstract: Circuit system and method for receiving and demodulating signals to a tire pressure monitoring system. The circuit comprises a demodulator for receiving an input signal modulated at a first frequency and demodulating the input signal so that information can be extracted from the input signal at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. The circuit further comprises a microprocessor, operating at a clock rate selected to extract information from the demodulated signal at the second frequency, for receiving and decoding a demodulated signal from the demodulator. In another aspect, the demodulator comprises a switching circuit having a time constant longer than the period of the first frequency.

Abstract: An operating device in a vehicle has hierarchical display screens. The hierarchical display screens have operation items for operating an operational object. An operation item on a lower-level screen is displayed on the top screen, based on the number of use of the operation item.

Abstract: A power line modem interface includes a modem that modulates an RF signal with digital data and demodulates an RF signal to recover digital data. A filter is connected to the modem and to a DC power line that supplies power to a local power supply. The filter couples the RF signals from the modem to the DC power line and filters the RF signals out of the local power supply. The filter includes: a first inductance connected to a hot side of the DC power line; a second inductance connected in series with the first inductance and connected to the local power supply; and a capacitance with a first plate connected between the first inductance and the second inductance and a second plate connected to the modem so that the RF signal is passed between the modem and the DC power line.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) includes at least one sensing circuit (101) and a processor (104), and operates in accordance with a corresponding method of operation. The sensing circuit detects (205) either a characteristic of an external environment containing the portable communication device (e.g., a chemical in the air or acceleration of the device) or a characteristic of the portable communication device user (e.g., heart rate or blood sugar content), and generates a signal (207) representative of a feature of the sensed characteristic. The processor receives the signal and initiates an event based at least on the feature of the sensed characteristic as represented by the signal. Events include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: alerting the device user, transmitting a signal (e.g., an emergency call) to a remote communication device, re-sensing the characteristic or sensing another characteristic, and modifying a setting or profile of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device (1) for a motor vehicle (2), consisting of at least one display device (6) located in the interior of the vehicle, and at least one camera (4, 5) arranged in the front and/or rear area of the vehicle (2), with which the area to the sides of the vehicle (2) can be monitored and displayed on the display device (6), whereby the camera (4, 5) is arranged on a carrier unit located centrally on the vehicle (2), and whereby the carrier unit can be withdraw into the bodywork when not in use and can be extended when required.