Abstract: A keyboard for use with a computer is disclosed. The keyboard has an array of keys made up of four rows such that all keys are accessible by a user using finger and thumb movements of the user's hands without moving the hands from a central location. All modes and functions of the keyboard are accessible using finger movements also in that the character keys on the keyboards are capable of producing different characters or performing different functions when actuated in combination with other mode and function keys on the keyboard. The keyboard has a space bar and an enter key that are accessible by the user's thumbs. The space bar and enter key are actuated by pressing either key horizontally rather than vertically as in standard keyboards. The keyboard also includes dual mode keys which allow the user to access additional modes. This feature expands the capability of the keyboard to interact with more software functions.

Abstract: A sealing method by means of which breaking of a seal is detected at least subsequently. The method is mainly characterized by recording breaking of the seal in a readable manner with the aid of an updatable information carrier (2). The invention also relates to a sealing arrangement.

Abstract: The theft protection system includes a base unit which is sufficiently compact that it may be positioned in a pocket of a golf bag and sense unauthorized removal thereof by a thief. The base unit has a housing containing a tilt sensor which includes an electrically conducting ball positioned within a hemispherically split chamber which in response to tilt or other movement of the sensor (and golf bag) rolls into a position in which it allows current to flow through the sensor and into either just an alarm in a first embodiment or into both an alarm and a transmitter in a second embodiment. The transmitter emits a signal to a remote unit which is sufficiently compact that it may be carried by a user and which includes a receiver and an auditory or vibration alarm. The receiver activates the auditory or vibration alarm in response to receipt of the signal from the transmitter thereby alerting the user to theft or attempted theft of the golf bag.

Abstract: A vehicle security system and methods for triggering alarms, including a controller responsive to entry of a security code via the keypad which matches a particular security code to disengage an starter blocking relay. The controller is further responsive to determining that the ignition switch is turned to the "on" position without prior entry of a matching security code to start a timer which times out after a predetermined period of time, whereby in response to non-entry of a matching security code before expiration of the predetermined period of time, the controller generates an alarm signal for transmission via the wireless transceiver to a central monitoring station. If the controller determines that the ignition switch is turned to its off position after the timer is started, it disengages the starter blocking relay so as to enable ignition of the vehicle.

Abstract: The method any system for nationwide mobile telecommunications billing provides improved efficiency in billing for mobile services. Local mobile networks are communicatively connected by signaling network to a national mobile service platform (MNSP). Traffic event information generated by local mobile networks is collected directly by the NMSP. Traffic event information generated by local landline networks and long distance networks is also collected by the NMSP. The NMSP processes all traffic events for all calls, generates all necessary billing information and returns resulting billing information to other networks only when necessary. In order to simplify NMSP processing, all billing information collected from other networks is formatted to form uniform master call detail records (MCDR). Each MCDR contains all the information necessary for the NMSP to perform its processing. Each MCDR is rated, then billing information is generated.

Abstract: A golf bag alarm that is removably attached to a golf bag. The alarm provides an audible signal when a club is removed from the bag, or the bag is removed from its resting place. Interconnecting straps run between the clubs and a pin on the alarm. When the pin is removed from the alarm, the alarm sounds an ear piercing signal. The interconnecting straps are fixed to a predetermined length that causes the pin to dislodge from the alarm, activating the alarm if any one of the clubs or the bag is moved any distance beyond the predetermined length of the interconnecting straps, thereby drawing attention to the attempted theft.

Abstract: A radio receiver which includes structure for direct-frequency-converting a received input signal to two axial base-band components including an in-phase base-band component and orthogonal phase base-band component. The radio receiver also includes structure for re-modulating the two axial base-band components of in-phase and orthogonal phase by using in-phase and orthogonal phase carrier waves where each carrier wave has a frequency equal to an IF signal frequency. Further, the radio receiver includes structure for composing the re-modulated components to provide the IF signal and for amplifying the IF signal, where the IF signal is an objective signal. The radio receiver further includes structure for detecting the objective signal to produce a detected output and for applying the detected output to a demodulated output terminal.

Abstract: Data bit error rates for power line carrier data transmission, in commercial and industrial applications, such as in office buildings and manufacturing plants is improved by connecting the power line transceiver modem to the power line via a booster amplifier and filter circuit which raises the carrier data signal level of the order of 20 dB, thereby overcoming spikes and other noise which can adversely affect the error rate. The power for the carrier data transmission system is obtained from the power lines over which the data is transmitted through filters which isolate the power supply from the power line thereby reducing the introduction of power supply noise into the power line and further improving the data bit error rate.

Abstract: An indicator cluster includes a controlling substrate and a functional displaying module. The controlling substrate includes a set of five RJ-45 or USB connectors at its rear end, a fixing tab at its rear end, an input connector for +5V power supply, a pair of retaining holes, and connecting pins at its front end. A functional displaying module includes a pair of fastening clips at respective ends of a front panel. The front panel is also provided with a plurality of indicators. A rear end of a long portion of the functional displaying module is provided with connecting pins that correspond to the connecting pins of the controlling substrate. By the configuration described above, the controlling substrate can be readily mounted on to a mounting slot of a computer. Alternatively, it can be also fixedly mounted onto the supporting cartridge for a hard disk drive utilizing the pair of retaining holes.

Abstract: A detection system and method are capable of reducing the occurrence of false alarms and detection failures by compensating for variations in the amplitude of a detection signal generated by a PIR sensor. An adaptive threshold can be used that varies according to ambient temperature of the detection area and the frequency of the detection signal. Comparison of the detection signal to the adaptive threshold allows compensation for temperature- and/or frequency-induced variations in detection signal amplitude. The adaptive threshold can be configured for standard detection area conditions or calibrated for conditions at the installation site. Relative measurement and adaptive sampling techniques also can be used to compensate for the presence of low frequency shifts in the detection signal. Such techniques can provide an accurate representation of signal amplitude relative to a threshold amplitude despite differences in absolute signal magnitude.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an air coil 20. The air coil 20 may be made from a strip of electrically conductive material 22 which has an insulating material overlying it. For example, the conductive material may comprise copper. The strip 22 is wound into a coil to perform a plurality of windings. The insulating material electrically insulates each of the windings from adjacent ones of the windings.

Abstract: A shift mechanism position sensor for a transfer case or transmission includes a plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent a ferrous, metallic plate having a plurality of apertures arranged to provide multi-bit binary signals in gray code. The metallic plate is secured to an internal component such as a shift control rod of the transfer case or transmission and translates bi-directionally adjacent the Hall effect sensors. Data coded in numerous distinct three or four bit binary numbers provides high resolution of the position of the shift mechanism, shift fork and associated clutch. Many four wheel drive motor vehicle transfer cases include a gear reduction assembly which provide direct and reduced speed drives. Such gear selection is often achieved by an electronic control system and it is important to provide information regarding the actual physical position of such gear selection mechanism to the control system.

Abstract: A wireless alarm system for generating alarm signals discernible to the hearing impaired. The system includes a detection unit having a smoke or carbon dioxide detector which generates a signal upon sensing the occurrence of smoke or carbon dioxide. A transmitter in the detector unit generates a wirelessly transmitted signal. A receiving unit worn on the body of a person includes a receiver and receives the signal generated by the transmitter. An alarm in the form of a vibrator is coupled with the receiver and generates a vibration discernible to the body of the user. A second alarm operates, or not, depending on whether the person acknowledges the vibrator.

Abstract: A tooth brush holder adapted to contain at least one tooth brush is provided with a switch and circuitry such that when the tooth brush is removed from the holder a sound producing device is actuated which device can continue to produce sound for at least a predetermined time. In one preferred form of the invention, the sound producing device may incorporate an audio chip on which a pre-recorded message is located and, in a second form, may include a recordable chip recorded by a user or some other person. The apparatus may be provided with a control apparatus to monitor the amount of time the toothbrush has been removed from the holder to insure that proper brushing has taken place. If the toothbrush is replaced in the holder before the predetermined time period has elapsed, a warning message or tone (and/or light) may be activated advising the user that more brushing is needed.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly has a body which is capable of being attached to an article to be monitored, a first sensor having a secured state and an unsecured state and capable of being attached to an article to be monitored, and a first elongate cord extending between the first sensor and body and having at least one conductor and a) mechanically connecting the first sensor to the body and b) defining a conductive path between the first sensor and the body. The first sensor is in the unsecured state with the conductive path between the first sensor and the body interrupted.

Abstract: A combined data and power transmission arrangement has one or more power supplies and loads interconnected by a power transmission line, with transmitters and receivers for transmitting a digital data signal over the transmission line. The transmitter and receiver each include an inductor for providing a high impedance barrier to a data signal on the line, so as to isolate the data signal from the power supply and load. The receiver includes circuits for tracking the mid-point value of the data signal to produce a threshold value, and for comparing the threshold value with the data signal to produce an output signal. The threshold value is a controlled positive feedback signal derived from the output of the comparator by way of a positive feedback loop having a time constant approximately equal to the time constant of the transmitter.

Abstract: A satellite communications system and method capable of bidirectional satellite communications between earth stations via a satellite, whereby communications by a plurality of signals sharing the same frequency band become possible while partially or wholly superposing respective signal frequencies. Each earth station including: a transmission circuit for transmitting a local transmission signal toward the satellite; a reception circuit for receiving a remote transmission signal transmitted from a remote earth station and a return signal, the return signal being part of the local transmission signal transmitted from the local earth station toward the satellite and partially returned from the satellite and received at the local earth station; and a cancelling circuit being supplied with part of the local transmission signal and the received return signal, for cancelling the received return signal by part of the local transmission signal.

Abstract: An intrusion detecting apparatus for a vehicle comprises: a doppler shift signal outputting unit for outputting a doppler shift signal in response to a reflected and received ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic receiver and a transmitted ultrasonic signal from a transmitter, an envelope detecting circuit for detecting the level of the received ultrasonic signal, and a detecting means for detecting an illegal intrusion by a person only when it is determined that the doppler shift signal is within a predetermined amount corresponding to the movement of a person intruding into the passenger compartment and it is also determined that the detected level of the received ultrasonic signal is out of a range of a disturbance, whereby an erroneous detection due to a disturbance caused by some reason other than an intrusion can be prevented.

Abstract: In an output-controlled power amplifier of a closed loop type, an input signal is inputted to a main path in which the input signal is power-attenuated by a variable attenuator and power-amplified by a power amplifier. A power divider distributes the amplified input signal between the main path and a feedback path diverging from the main path so that the signal distributed to the main path is outputted from the main path to the exterior while the input signal is controlled on the basis of the signal distributed to the feedback path. The feedback path includes a hold circuit for extracting the signal distributed to the feedback path and holding the value of the power of the extracted signal when the power reaches a predetermined value. A control signal for attenuating the power of the input signal inputted to the main path is generated by the hold circuit and is applied through the feedback path to the variable attenuator on the main path to control the power of the input signal.

Abstract: A mixer (1) comprising, an RF port 2 and an LO port (3) supplying two diodes (7), a junction (8) of the diodes (7) referenced to ground (9), and a differential amplifier (19) being supplied with +IF and -IF from outputs of the diodes (7), and the differential amplifier (19) supplying low LO AM noise and low frequency response of an IF port (18) at an output (20) of the differential amplifier.