Abstract: A seat buckle sensor system is provided that provides an output representative of a lock condition of a seat belt buckle. The system includes a magnet on an end of a seat buckle lock pin and a Hall device. The lock pin, and magnet on the end thereof, move between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the Hall device. The magnet imparts a first magnetic flux on the Hall device in the locked position causing the Hall device to produce a first output. The magnet imparts a second magnetic flux on the Hall device in the unlocked position causing the Hall device to produce a second output.

Abstract: A system forecasts parking availability for a time in the future based on driver-reported estimations of how long each vehicle in the parking area will stay and on forecasted arrivals. Current conditions in a parking area might misrepresent parking availability at the time when a driver will arrive. When accessing parking, drivers need a data input mechanism to report their expected stays, such as a smart ticket dispenser or parking meter. The data goes through a computer algorithm to forecast parking availability. This forecast can be communicated to remote parking access points.

Abstract: A remote communication device, such as a radio frequency type device, that receives temperature indicia concerning a container and/or its contents and communicates such temperature indicia along with an identification indicia to a reader. The remote communication device can measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container in a periodic manner. The remote communication device can also measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container when such temperature indicia exceed a certain minimum or maximum threshold temperature. The remote communication device can also include power circuitry to store energy when energized in the range of an interrogation reader so that the remote communication device can be powered for temperature indicia measurements when not in the range of an interrogation reader.

Abstract: A base station receives signals from highway traffic and sends signals to selected vehicles on the highway to command them to increase/decrease speed or charge lane in order to more closely conform to a virtual model for vehicular use of the highway.

Abstract: A comprehensive and effective system at detecting unauthorized hazardous materials such as explosives potentially placed by terrorists in cargo or freight, such as air cargo, is disclosed. The system is cost effective and is non-disruptive to shippers of cargo. The system provided in one or more embodiments is capable of virtually guaranteeing the continuous security and integrity of cargo or freight during the storage and transit process. The system provides a combination of advanced x-ray technology and packaging technology. A method is disclosed comprising the steps of applying X-rays with an X-ray machine to freight and placing a cover on the freight. The step of placing the cover on the freight may include locking the cover on the freight with a lock. The lock may include an electronic memory, which is programmed with a unique code, which identifies the freight and indicates whether it has been tampered with.

Abstract: A door entry security device used in a security system including a control panel, the door security device in a housing suitable for mounting within a recess of a doorjamb or door of a premises. In the housing is a lock position detecting switch, adapted to detect the position of a lock mounted on a door as being either locked or unlocked, a door position detecting switch adapted to detect the position of the door as being either open or closed, and processing circuitry adapted to generate a security system disarm signal when (1) the position of the lock has transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state, (2) the door is closed at the time that a predefined time period has elapsed since the position of the lock transitions from a locked state to an unlocked state, and (3) the door has been opened after that predefined time period has elapsed. The door entry device also has a data transmitter for sending the security system disarm signal to the control panel.

Abstract: An image processing system for identifying car stealer to be set in a car involving a high risk to be stolen, comprising a device to take the full-faced image of the criminal without his/her knowledge. A dashboard panel (2) in front of the driver's seat comprises a meter housing (10) provided on a lamp case (12) for storing a light source (13) of indicator lamps (6a) and (6b). An indicator panel (14) made of transparent material is provided in front of the dashboard panel (2), therein the lighting from the light source is sent from the lamp case (12) to the front surface of the dashboard panel (2). An image taking device (21) which is a candid camera is provided in the lamp case (12), therein the image of the person sitting in the driver's seat can be taken through the indicator panel (14). An image memory device (22) of the candid camera corresponds to the lighting of the indicator lamps (6a) and (6b), and save the image taken by the image taking device (21).

Abstract: A system and method for the dielectric scanning of a human subject to detect anomalies relative to expected normal physiology as an indication, among other things, of the possible presence of a weapon, contraband, or of a confirmed difference in personal identity. Persons expeditiously can enter a double-open-sided, ninety-degree counter-rotative scanning zone in the system, alternating from two orthogonally positional entry lines. Scanning occurs in two orthogonal phases of non-relative-motion interrogative microwave illumination to detect sequential, opposite-side-quadrant, dielectric physiologic anatomical signatures which are assessed by computer comparing them to pre-established physiologic-signature tables. Persons entering the scanning zone, leave along a quadrature-related exit path.

Abstract: Method and an apparatus for registering and supervision of the positions and time of storage of articles entered into a cabinet or other delimited space. A preferred fields of application is refrigerators in which one or several cameras at selected occasions take pictures of the interior of the refrigerator. These pictures are treated in an image analyzer which transfers clear pictures of all articles stored on each shelf in the refrigerator to a computer for registration. In the computer there is stored for each article information on the time of entry in a list containing article denominations. For distance communication the computer can be connected to a central computer having information about all articles marketed on a national basis and including both pictures and denominations.

Abstract: Provided is a technology for helping safe driving and realizing automatic driving of vehicles, or for counting the number of passing vehicles on the road or monitoring those passing vehicles for their driving. Using a plurality of cameras mounted in a vehicle or provided above a road, even if the relationship between the road plane and the respective cameras constantly changes in relative position or posture due to camera vibration or a change in road tilt, any obstacles located on the road such as other vehicles ahead, parked vehicles, and pedestrians on the road are detected without confusing those with textures including white lines, road signs, paint, road stains, and shadows of roadside objects, all of which do not disturb vehicle driving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring at least one battery. A reference ramp voltage signal is applied to a battery. A difference between a measurement ramp voltage signal output from the battery and the reference signal is compared with a threshold to determine battery condition. The determined battery condition can be transmitted remotely from the battery location.

Abstract: A method for automatically changing the address of an occupant when the occupant moves from one internal address to another internal address. The foregoing is accomplished by placing a radio frequency identification tag in occupant's nameplate, wherein the tag contains encoding information that identifies the occupant so that when the occupant changes his/her location, the nameplate may be used to update a data base and determine the occupant's new address.

Abstract: An apparatus for associating tires with tire locations of a vehicle includes two sensors, each sensor having an associated tire. Each sensor transmits an associated sensor identification in response to receipt of an interrogation signal. The interrogation signal is provided so that the two sensors transmit at different rates. A controller is responsive to receipt of transmitted identification signals for associating each sensor with a tire location and thereby associating the tires with tire locations of the vehicle.

Abstract: MW sensor 1 in one or more embodiments of the present invention is equipped with distance identifying means 41 capable of calculating relative distance(s) from the distance identifying means to object(s) at least partially within protected area(s) based on reflected wave(s); moved distance identifying means 42 capable of calculating moved distance(s) per unit time of object(s) at least partially within protected area(s); and object determination means 43 capable of receiving output(s) from distance identifying means 41 and moved distance identifying means 42, and capable of carrying out object detection determination operations(s) such that moved-distance-per-unit-time value(s), at least one of which serves as trigger value for object detection determination, is or are set lower as relative distance(s) to object(s) at least partially within protected area(s) grow smaller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon dioxide fire extinguishing device comprising a capacitive measuring device (11) which is calibrated for a temperature range above and below the critical temperature of carbon dioxide and which is used to detect the amount of gas loss from a carbon dioxide pressure tank (10). The carbon dioxide fire extinguishing device comprises an outlet valve in which the capacitive measuring probe (12) is integrated in such an advantageous way that the outflow resistance of the extinguishing gas is hardly increased at all.

Abstract: Determining near-end-of-life (NEOL) state of a combustion engine battery, comprising: first and second multi-functional modules operatively connected to a logic function linking group, each operating with different low cranking strength criteria based on using different reference voltages, and each counting a different number of occurrences of low cranking strength exhibited by the battery, for a plurality of engine startings; a third multi-functional module, additionally operatively connected to the logic function linking group, monitoring extent the battery was recharged by the charging system of the combustion engine during previous operation of the combustion engine, during each engine starting; and logic function linking group, performing logic operations and making decisions using simultaneously received output values of first, second, and third, multi-functional modules, for unambiguously determining a single logically correct specific case associated with the combustion engine battery in, or not in, t

Abstract: The invention proposes a trackable device locally incorporating an electronic identifier comprising an integrated circuit which includes a memory and an antenna, and which is able to exchange data with a read and/or write device which is spaced at a maximum by a first predetermined communication distance. A second antenna which is able to communicate without electric contact, in particular with the identifier, is arranged at a distance from the identifier smaller than or equal to the first predetermined distance, so as to form a relay and increase the maximum distance for exchange of data between the identifier and the read and/or write device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a controller (82) for receiving a control parameter. At least one tire condition sensor (26-32) senses a tire condition and transmits a tire condition signal (34) indicative of the sensed tire condition. A receiver (78) receives the tire condition signal (34) and compares the received tire condition signal (34) to a changeable threshold to output a digital signal indicative of the received tire condition signal (34). The changeable threshold changes at time intervals determined by a time constant of the receiver (78). The time constant of the receiver (78) is variable. The controller (82) is operatively connected to the receiver (78) and varies the time constant of the receiver (78) in response to the received control parameter.

Abstract: An aerial sampler system includes an enclosure, a transfer system, and a measurement system. The enclosure is connected to an external surface of an aerial vehicle and receives atmospheric flow from the external surface of the aerial vehicle. The enclosure also directs at least some of the atmospheric flow into an aperture in the external surface. The transfer system transfers some of the atmospheric flow from the aperture to a measurement system. The measurement system is internal to the external surface of the aerial vehicle and measures atmospheric trace gases in the atmospheric flow.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a master station and a plurality of monitor stations which are spaced from the master station. Each of the monitor stations includes a programmable computer which is connected with a radio and a sensor. The computer and radio may be enclosed in an explosion-proof housing. To change a program in the computer at a monitor station, the program change may be transmitted from the master station to the monitor station. In addition, data relating to a condition to be sensed may be transmitted from the master station to the monitor station.