Abstract: A keyboard entry system is disclosed which comprises a keyboard which includes a plurality of letter keys, one for each letter of a selected language. The entry system responds to conventional sequential activation of individual keys by providing output signals indicative of the respective individual letters associated with the activated keys to an application program such as a word processor or printer control program. The keyboard entry system also responds to chords of simultaneously activated multiple keys by using these chords to retrieve stored words from a dictionary. It is the stored words rather than the entered chords which are applied as inputs to the application program. This system allows an operator to use both conventional sequential key entry techniques and chorded entry techniques for rapid data entry. Chords are detected by comparing a stored constant with the elapsed time between a key release and the immediately preceding key depression of an overlapping key.

Abstract: A light-source multiplication device useful in a warning light device, a traffic signal light device, a light display or a lighted sign includes light-emissive diodes as light sources with a multi-prism having facets having apices on an imaginary spherical surface for providing multiple images of the light-emissive diodes, some of which can be viewed over a wide field of vision, thereby minimizing power and maintenance requirements of the device.

Abstract: A radio paging receiver for receiving a carrier wave modulated paging signal which includes a preamble, an address code and a message, is composed of at least a receiver section, a waveform shaping circuit, a memory section, a control section, a speaker with driving sectionto sound an alert signal and a display section. The memory section stores a predetermined number of received messages, which are counted as they are received by a counter in the control section. The display section under the control of the control section, produces a three part display, the first part being an indication of the age of the displayed message relative to the other messages stored in memory, the second part the call type, when a dual call service is implemented, and the last part one of the messages stored in memory. If a message is being displayed as a new message is received, the previous message continues to be displayed, while the new message is stored in memory if memory space is available.

Abstract: In a vehicle detection apparatus having a plurality of channels, each arranged for detecting vehicles according to their influence upon the frequency of a respective loop oscillator the oscillation frequency of which is dependent on the inductance of a respective vehicle-sensing inductive loop, a common computer performs a calculation for each channel in turn whereby changes in the frequency of the respective loop oscillator are monitored and analysed. In one embodiment, the computer calculates an appropriate operational number, the time taken for that particular number of loop cycles to occur is measured and stored as a period count and the period count is compared with an environmental reference number to determine whether or not a vehicle detected flag should be raised or lowered. Neither the operational number calculated by the computer nor the reference number is fixed but provision is made for updating both.

Abstract: A brake light warning system for a motor vehicle causes the brakes lights to flash in a manner to attract the attention of a driver to the rear of the vehicle and provide a more effective warning of a slow down or stopping of the vehicle especially during foggy days or nights and when the view of a vehicle is partially obscured. Upon application of the brakes the brake lights are first caused to flash rapidly for 2 or 3 times for a first interval of time followed by prolonged "on" periods interrupted periodically by a short "off" period followed by a short "on" period followed by a short "off" period for a second interval of time as long as pressure is applied to the brake pedal of the vehicle.

Abstract: Steering wheel with an electric cable to a protective gas bag impact device located in the bowl of the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle, having a conductor formed of several concentric windings of a conducting strip arranged in a housing surrounding the steering wheel spindle and hub. One end thereof terminates in a core fastened to the steering wheel hub and rotates therewith, while the other end terminates in a fixedly mounted housing. A spring-loaded two arm rocker with arms at an angle to each other, is mounted on the hub or spindle. One arm of which projects into the path of a nut securing the steering wheel on the spindle. A recess located in the hub within the pivoting range of said arm and a recess located in the housing within the pivoting range of the other arm. The spring is loading the rocker in a rotating direction against the housing.

Abstract: An inductive loop detector which includes a detector which is coupled to the loop by means of a parallel tuned circuit and a receiver which is coupled to the loop by means of a parallel tuned circuit, with the two tuned circuits having different resonant frequencies.

Abstract: An improved traffic signal lamp control system utilizes continuously burning lamps, such as fluorescent lamps or HID lamps, located inside a traffic signal housing or external to the housing to direct light toward the lens apertures of the housing. A light attentuation device, which may be either a mechanical shutter or a liquid crystal panel is placed in the path of light between the continuously energized lamp and the aperture of the housing to either block the passage of light from the lamp through the aperture or permit the passage of light therethrough. The conventional red, amber and green lenses are placed in the apertures, and the conventional traffic signal light control signals are used to operate the attentuation device. Substantial savings in power consumption are encountered since fluorescent lamps and HID lamps consume much less power than incandescent lamps, and considerably increased lamp life can be achieved.

Abstract: In a self-contained battery powered keyboard entry device, the keyboard is driven from a microprocessor and its output sensed by the microprocessor to generate drive signals for an infra-red transmitter. The sense lines are monitored so that, on a key depression, the microprocessor is switched to an operating mode from its low-power standby mode. When all sensed signals have been processed and outputted, the microprocessor is returned to the low-power standby mode.

Abstract: A key input device is arranged such that a transparent keyboard is placed on a display unit for displaying characters and numerals so as to perform display and key input operations. Transparent electrodes are formed on the inner walls of a plurality of transparent sheets in the keyboard, and transparent projecting members as spacers are formed on one of the inner walls so as to prevent key input errors. The projecting members are constituted by transparent semispherical members formed on the inner wall of the transparent sheet disposed away from the light incident side, thereby improving readability of the displayed content on the display unit.

Abstract: A keyboard entry system is disclosed which comprises a keyboard which includes a plurality of letter keys, one for each letter of a selected language. The entry system responds to conventional sequential activation of individual keys by providing output signals indicative of the respective individual letters associated with the activated keys to an application program such as a word processor or printer control program. The keyboard entry system also responds to chords of simultaneously activated multiple keys by using these chords to retrieve stored words from a dictionary. It is the stored words rather than the entered chords which are applied as inputs to the application program. This system allows an operator to use both conventional sequential key entry techniques and chorded entry techniques for rapid data entry.

Abstract: A remotely-read energy metering product comprises a conventional watt-hour meter to which an electronics package has been added, the package comprising a thin, annular, printed circuit board mounted for support on an annular adaptor ring and disposed in surrounding relation to the annular watt-hour meter. Electrical components mounted on the printed circuit board provide an electronic read-out circuit for a pulse initiator, and further provide the transponder electronics for effecting bidirectional communication between the watt-hour meter and a remote location.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting signals between a load-vehicle stationary unit and a control board mounted on a steering wheel. A light is utilized as a means for transmitting information. The control board is mounted on the steering wheel in a floating relation with such a structure that the relative position between the stationary unit and the control board remains unchanged. A plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements opposite to the formers are disposed at different positions in accordance with the shape and position of one or more spoke of the steering wheel, so that all light beams are not interrupted by the spoke of the wheel at the same time. The light emitting and receiving means are provided on each of the stationary unit and the control board to permit bidirectional transmission of signals.

Abstract: Switch assembly, such as a keyboard switch assembly, comprises a plurality of polled conductors, a plurality of scanned conductors, and switch sites, each of which has an associated scanned conductor and polled conductor adjacent thereto. When a switch at each switch site is closed, the associated polled conductor is connected to the associated scanned conductor and closure of the switch is determined by a polling and scanning means. Each switch has a switch resistor in series therewith and each scanned conductor has a scanned conductor resistor between the scanned conductor and one side of the power supply. The analyzer associated with the switch assembly has the ability to determine whether a signal indicating that a particular switch is closed is a true signal caused by actual closure of the signal or alternatively is a phantom signal caused by the closure of a group of switches in the switch matrix.

Abstract: The auxiliary alarm system can be mounted at eye level on a trunk lid or the like or can be seated on or secured to a vehicle rear window shelf for viewing by a trailing vehicle driver, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. The system includes a housing containing a display window with a visual warning display device, such as a bulb-lighted printed sheet, or an L.E.D. array mounted therein to provide a traveling message and activatable through an electrical circuit connected to the vehicle rear brake light or turn signal circuit. The housing can include a timer and battery to prolong the display, once it is activated by the rear brake light circuit and/or a sensor-discriminator to select one of a number of visual warning displays in response to multiple brake pedal or turn signal circuit activations. An audible alarm can also be connected in the housing.

Abstract: A video display touch detection digitizer for generating the coordinate position when the video display is touched. The light signals for the X and Y coordinate array are generated from the raster scan signals of the video display during selected periods of the vertical and horizontal blanking intervals. Vertical and horizontal mirrors reflect, respectively, the resulting row and columns of light signals across the screen of the video display where other mirrors reflect the signals to, respectively, row and column signal detectors. Control circuitry detects the resulting interruption in the rows and columns of light signals when the screen of the video display is touched and generates signals representing the touch coordinates.

Abstract: A multi-key keyboard is scanned at high speed in such a manner as to substantially reduce erroneous key entries caused by the simultaneous engagement of more than one key. A keyboard processor determines which key is down by sequential scanning of the keyboard, encodes the selected key and sends this code to a master processor, or CPU. A 2-key lockout scanning approach is employed wherein keyboard scanning stops when two keys are selected simultaneously. Scanning is resumed when either one or both of the first two keys are released. By limiting simultaneous key engagement detection to two keys, system complexity and cost are kept within reasonable limits while insuring against erroneous key entries. Detecting and storing the key engagement sequence permits a selected special function, e.g., automatic key repeat, to be applied to the last selected key rather than to an earlier selected, but simultaneously engaged, key.