Abstract: A security system includes a data storage device in which data or other information to be protected is stored. The data storage device, control logic, and other components are contained in a sealed first inner housing. The data storage device stores the data to be protected. The first inner housing is contained within a sealed second inner housing by a plurality of support structures which create an interstitial volume surrounding the first inner enclosure. Both inner housings are contained within an outer housing. A vacuum is created in the interstitial volume between the two inner housings. Both inner housings are sealed thereby precluding air from entering the interstitial volume and defeating the vacuum. One or more pressure sensors monitor the vacuum pressure. If an attempt is made to access the first inner housing, by drilling through the second inner housing or otherwise defeating the second inner housing's seal, the pressure of the interstitial volume will change.

Abstract: An unattended bicycle rental and security system, utilizing bi-directional communications with data verification between the individual bicycles and the system is provided which is equipped with an alarm, and can individually identify a number of bicycles and attribute their rental with corresponding customers. The unattended bicycle rental and security system is able to identify if a rental bicycle has sustained an impact during a rental that is sufficient to damage it and identify the customer whose care the rental bicycle was in at the time. The system also allows the integration of several rental locations allowing a bicycle to be rented at one location and returned at another.

Abstract: A suspension repositioning system for a trailer is provided that includes a trailer frame having spaced apart rails with a plurality of sets of holes in the rails. A suspension unit is movable relative to the frame along the rails. The suspension unit has a set of pins movable between locked and unlocked positions which are engageable with one of the plurality of sets of holes in the locked position to secure the suspension unit to the trailer frame. A speed sensor detects a speed of the suspension unit, and a pin position sensor detects the unlocked position of at least one of the pins. An alarm is connected with the speed sensor and the pin position sensor. The alarm sends an alert signal in response to the speed sensor detecting a predetermined speed and the pin position sensor detecting the at least one of the pins in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A piece of baggage comprises a relatively small electronic sound recorder and playback device, and a designated location for the device that constrains the device in a relatively fixed position. The baggage is preferably a general purpose piece, and more preferably has at least one or two shoulder straps. Exemplary pieces of baggage are knapsacks and pocketbooks, although computer carrying cases and some strap containing briefcases may also fit within these limitations. The electronic sound recorder and playback device may contain any suitable electronic circuitry, and may advantageously be configured to provide or at least assist in providing an alarm. The device may also be configured to record speech, music, or other sounds. The recorder/playback device should have sufficient capacity to record at least 120 seconds of speech, although both greater or lesser capacities are also contemplated.

Abstract: A circuit that senses changes in the electrical characteristics of a guard ring, and generates one or more signals based, at least in part, on the electrical characteristics that are sensed, is incorporated into an integrated circuit The one or more signals generated by the circuit are indicative of the reliability of the integrated circuit. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first point of the guard ring is electrically coupled to a voltage supply node by a switchable element such as a MOSFET, and at least two points of the guard ring are electrically coupled respectively to two input terminals of a differential amplifier circuit in such a way that voltage changes across the guard ring can be sensed.

Abstract: Device for monitoring and/or modifying vehicle operator behavior. The device is suited for reducing vehicle operator aggressive driving behavior which leads to increased anger and so-called “road rage”, and includes a sensor mountable in a vehicle that detects a vehicle driving condition exceeding a preset vehicle driving condition. A signal is operatively associated with the sensor and provides a warning to a vehicle operator when the sensor detects a vehicle driving condition which exceeds a predetermined value. The signal to the driver is deactivated and stops providing the warning when the sensor detects the preset vehicle driving condition for greater than a predetermined period of time. The warning to the operator may be a caution such as “Easy, now” and “You can let it go”. The device may provide.

Abstract: In order to largely protect an anti-theft element for acoustomagnetic anti-theft systems which contains a module that is accommodated in a housing and has a magnetic element as well as a thin metal plate from manipulations, in particular, deactivation by strong magnetic fields, without a noteworthy enlargement of the structural size, the invention proposes to realize the magnetic element in the form of magnetic foils that are polarized with a north pole alignment and a south pole alignment, respectively.

Abstract: An anti theft tack device incorporating a detectable element which can be attached to the body component of an existing electronic article surveillance security tag to replace the tack-like connecting component of the security tag. The anti theft tack device includes a connecting element, a base element, a housing that encloses elements whose proximity is detectable by the in-store electronic equipment, a means to releaseably secure the device to the article to be protected, and a means to releaseably engage the device to the body component of an existing surveillance tag. Engagement of the present device to a surveillance tag provides the ability to upgrade an existing surveillance tag incorporating a first detection technology to a second type of detection technology.

Abstract: A method for determining traffic data at points of interest in a traffic system from: vehicle data which are transmitted to a center from a plurality of vehicles relating to mean speeds (which have been determined over a time interval) of in each case one vehicle; stationary detector data which are transmitted to the center by stationary detectors in each case relating to the mean speed of vehicles passing a stationary detector in a time interval, wherein vehicle speeds at a point of interest are determined in the center, with the speeds which have been transmitted as vehicle data to the center being associated with defined points in the traffic system, and with vehicle speeds being calculated at in each case one point of interest by interpolation of at least two vehicle data items, namely by interpolation of stationary detector data measured in each case at at least one point in the traffic system and/or of vehicle data associated with at least one point in the traffic system.

Abstract: A compact warning device for preventing child from being lost comprises a high frequency distance-adjustable host transceiver and a plurality of slave transceivers wherein the high frequency host transceiver is carried by the parents and a high frequency slave transceiver is secured on a child, and the host and the slave transceivers can proceed bi-directional page or response with its counterpart. When one of the slave transceivers departs from the host transceiver beyond a preset security range, both the host and the slave transceiver will alarm to warn the child and the parents in order to prevent the child from being lost. Moreover, as this invention is capable of adjusting security range in multiple stages, it can fit various circumstantial conditions.

Abstract: A park system alarm is provided which is energized when operation of the park mechanism fails to open the park system switch, even though the shift lever is in the park position, and the driver initiates the process of opening his or her door. An external alarm is also energized through the park system switch and a seat switch if the driver leaves his normal driving position when the shift lever is not in park and when the shift lever is in park but the park system is broken or maladjusted. A put-in-park alarm is energized through the park system switch, a gear switch, and a door switch if the driver initiates the process of opening his or her door with the shift lever in any position except park. A seat switch circuit causes the parking pawl to engage the parking gear if the driver leaves the vehicle without placing the shift lever in park.

Abstract: An interactive system for a parking facility includes a plurality of smart light fixtures each having a detection system for detecting empty parking spaces, moving vehicles, and personnel. A control subsystem includes a system processor which interacts with a user interface. The user interface communicates directly with a user and with a smart card whereby parking transactions are automatically recorded and debited to an account. A key fob transmitter transmits signals to a smart fixture for summoning emergency assistance. The system processor utilizes GPS coordinates for guiding users, locating parking spaces, and identifying smart light fixtures receiving emergency assistance signals.

Abstract: A patch cord tracing system and method for tracing patch cords in a telecommunications patching system. The system includes a plurality of tracing interface modules that attach to the patch panels in a telecommunications closet. On the patch panels in a telecommunications closet are located a plurality of connector ports that receive the terminated ends of patch cords. The tracing interface modules mount to the patch panels and provide a sensor, an LED and a tracing button to each of the connector ports. The sensor detects whenever a patch cord is connected to, or removed from, a connector port. Accordingly, by connecting a computer controller to the various sensors, the computer controller can monitor and log all changes to the patch cord interconnections in an automated fashion.

Abstract: A universal adaptor for use with electronic parking meters which provides these electronic parking meters with the ability to detect the presence of a parked vehicle and to adjust the position of the detector for accomplishing the vehicle detection, to gather statistics on the parking spaces and the meters, to alert the parking authority of meters that are expired in connection with vehicles still parked, and zeroing the remaining time off of any meter once the parked vehicle departs.

Abstract: The four-states warning switch is a special warning device of exceptional features. One of these features, allows the user to send an initial signal, in case he only suspects that he may be attacked, assaulted, go into a coma or may face a danger of any other type. He does so by pressing the device's handle, closing a “suspicion circuit” that transmits a “suspicion signal” to a security office, a police station, an ambulance or a doctor's clinic. The user then shifts the handle rightwards while it is still pressed, bringing it to a position, where the device is ready to automatically close a warning circuit in case he releases the handle. This is the second important feature of the device, for if the user releases his/her hand involuntarily in case of an attack or in case he becomes unconscious, a warning signal is automatically transmitted.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a wireless monitoring system. The system has one or more monitoring devices. Each device can transmit data to and receive messages from an output center or alarm system. The output center can also transmit and receive messages. Both the output center and each device preferably have a transceiver that enables both the transmission and receipt of messages. No remote terminal units or hardwiring is required for the system to function. The system is truly a wireless gas monitoring system. The system may use low earth orbit satellite technology, or licensed radio frequencies or any other means to wirelessly transmit and receive messages.

Abstract: A sensor (20, 100, 200, 300) for detecting the approach and exit of a vehicle (42) to a tunnel (46). In one embodiment there is a sensor (20, 100, 200, 300) with a photodiode (22a) that receives light through an inclined channel (30, 30′) or aperture (32, 332, 432). The channel provides a field of view (44, 344, 31) ahead and above the vehicle. The photosensor (22a) is thus sensitive to the change in light from this field of view (44, 344, 31) as a vehicle enters (46a) and exits (46b) a tunnel (46). Some embodiments of the present invention include a second photosensor (22b) with a wider field of view (112, 112″, 111) for detecting ambient light.

Abstract: A system is described which replaces conventional “do not disturb” and “maid service” or “housekeeping” signs in hotel guestrooms. The system comprises means for allowing a hotel guest to choose, from within the hotel room, a message to convey to hotel staff and others such as “do not disturb”. The message is expressed by indicators housed within assemblies located outside of the hotel room, which are visible to passers-by. The system may also convey such messages to a more remote location such as a housekeeping office and the switch may be activated remotely.

Abstract: A vehicle detector unit and detection method for use with an electronic parking meter for providing the electronic parking meter with the ability to reliably detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in any existing corresponding parking space, independent of the surrounding environment, while using a minimum of power.

Abstract: A roll-over detector for vehicles includes a first accelerometer mounted on a first axle of the vehicle, a second accelerometer mounted on a second axle of the vehicle, and a third accelerometer mounted on a third axle of the vehicle. A controller compares data received from the first and second accelerometers and actuates a safety device to prevent a roll-over condition if the differences between the data exceed a predetermined value. The controller utilizes data from the third accelerometer to account for the effect of road conditions on the variations between the data from the first and second accelerometers.