Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the lossless precompression and de-precompression of high resolution binary images that are to be stored or transmitted. More specifically, the present invention employs an area-based precompression/de-precompression technique that is particularly appropriate for high resolution bit replicated images. The technique searches for regularly sized image regions of a common color or binary state and represents the areas in a coded fashion. The compression technique employed by the present invention enables high resolution images to be compressed and stored or transmitted at an image size approximating the size of an image typically obtained by lossless compression of the original bitmap binary image from which the high resolution image was generated.

Abstract: A fire sensing method and apparatus for detecting a fire based on the detection of a hydrocarbon gas produced before fire ignition and the detection of a second fire indicating phenomenon. Such other phenomenon may comprise the detection of temperature, radiation or combustion product gases. The detection of hydrocarbon gas may generate a pre-alarm condition which permits the use of higher sensitivity conditions for the second fire indicating phenomenon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously monitoring the volume of liquid in an underground storage tank and producing data for reconciling volume with throughput. This invention provides a set of algorithms and hardware which allows the loss of product caused by equipment failure or pilferage to be determined in one day or less. In order to accomplish this task this system requires a mechanism in each tank which is capable of indicating liquid depth and temperature to a very high degree of accuracy, a water table indicator, data collection equipment for the dispenser metering system, a local computer system for calculating several algorithms and a second computer, either local or remote, which calculates the daily reconciliation and finds the source of any indicated errors. This second computer also provides reports to the tank operator and activates an alarm system in case there is a loss due to a leak in any part of the tank system.

Abstract: An apparatus for deciding an excessive approach of a vehicle to an object in front of the vehicle. The excessive approach decision apparatus comprises a normalized time rate of change detector for determining a normalized time rate of change of a visual angle for the object as viewed from the vehicle. An excessive approach is indicated based upon the determined normalized time rate.

Abstract: Disclosed in a Rainfall Detection and Disable Control System which provides detection and a visual display of both a trace level and a variable accumulation level of natural rainfall. The dual interacting rainfall detection system provides a unique sprinkler system control function that disables sprinkler system watering both during and after a rain shower, based upon the amount of rainfall accumulation, and user selectable disable time periods. A short variable disable time period is initiated by the trace rainfall detection probe and a long variable time period is initiated by the accumulation rainfall detection probe. The trace rainfall detection probe provides the control function of preventing watering, at the onset of, and during a rain shower. The short disable time period of the trace detection function allows the next watering cycle to occur, if no significant rainfall accumulation is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft control which prevents the vehicle from being started by providing a code input authorization system working in combination with an enclosed controller relay system of a solonoid which prevents the starter motor from engaging the engine until after a correct code authorization is received. The controller is housed in an intermediate chamber of a solonoid housing and cannot be circumvented by exterior hot wiring so as to prevent electricity from passing to either the pulling or holding coils of the solonoid.

Abstract: A transmission device having a transmission circuit contained within a casing made of a synthetic resin for transmitting a locking or unlocking signal, wherein an earth plate is disposed between the casing and the transmission circuit. Static charges accumulated on a human body scarcely flow to the transmission circuit upon handling the transmission device, thus eliminating the worry that the electric components of the transmission device are damaged by a surge current.

Abstract: A refrigerant gas leak detector for detecting the location of leaks of refrigerant gas such as halogen has a sensing tip with a pair of electrodes across which a relatively high voltage is generated to cause a corona current to pass through the electrodes. The voltage applied across the electrodes is varied to maintain the corona current through the electrodes at a substantially constant magnitude. The leak detector includes a gas sensing circuit that detects changes in the concentration of refrigerant gas by sensing the voltage applied to the electrodes. The sensitivity of the gas sensing circuit is automatically varied based on the concentration of refrigerant gas present. The leak detector includes a signal generating circuit that causes a number of audible and visual indications to be generated based on the concentration of refrigerant gas sensed as well as other operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus on an aircraft provides external aircraft lighting which incorporates a coding system to facilitate visual identification of the aircraft. The lighting apparatus includes a plurality of optically-coupled components for generating, transmitting and projecting a laser beam. The components are installed in an interior compartment of the aircraft and are operable to generate the laser beam, to transmit the generated laser beam to a location adjacent to an exterior portion of the aircraft fuselage, and to project the transmitted laser beam in a predetermined direction from the exterior portion of the aircraft and in a predetermined pattern. The coding system incorporated by the pattern is based upon the properties of beam color, beam portion number and beam pulse frequency. Different values are assigned for these properties to code the different characteristics which can be used to identify the aircraft.

Abstract: A vehicle pedestrian communication system including portable transmitting and receiving devices carried by the pedestrians, designed to generate request signals corresponding to the data related to the destinations desired by the pedestrians. The portable transmitting and receiving devices also designed to detect an acceptance signal from a vehicle. The system also comprises on-board transmitting and receiving devices for the vehicles designed to detect request signals generated by the portable transmitting and receiving devices and generate an acceptance signal for transmission to an inquiring pedestrian.

Abstract: An automatic traffic control method and device includes an endless conveyor which is located along a predetermined length of a road for carrying a vehicle travelling in a first direction, the conveyor capable of moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby reducing the vehicle's virtual speed. A regenerative braking device engages the conveyor to oppose the conveyor movement. The braking device can also be used to reclaim kinetic energy generated by a decelerated vehicle. A sensor senses the vehicle speed and provides a signal to modulate the braking device. A receiver-decoder receives transmitted command signals to modulate the sensor signal, thereby to remotely set a desirable speed limit and ensure the passing vehicles obey the speed limit.

Abstract: A basketball game includes a generally planar backboard supporting a circular hoop having a basketball net extending downwardly therefrom. A center housing is supported beneath the hoop and secured to the backboard. A pair of score indicators having digital score indicating displays are supported on either side of the backboard. A pair of slap actuated depressible slap-pads are secured to and supported by the indicator housings. A flexible score sensor is secured to the center housing and extends into the net passage. The score sensor includes a flexible joint having a flex gauge or strain gauge operative therewith to provide an electrical signal each time the ball is successfully shot by a player and passes through the hoop and basketball net. In the preferred play pattern, the player having successfully scored a basket is able to increment the player's indicated score by slapping the appropriate one of the slap-pads following the successful shot.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring voltage harmonics and current harmonics on AC (alternating current) power systems. The instrument includes the ability to determine when threshold limits have been exceeded for harmonics. The instrument also includes timing thresholds whose inputs are activated when the harmonic thresholds are exceeded. A single harmonic threshold is applied to measurements from multiple phases on poly-phase systems by comparing the square root of the sum of the squares of measurements from each phase to the harmonic threshold. Three indicators show when voltage harmonic limits are exceeded, current harmonics limits are exceeded, or both voltage and current harmonic limits are exceeded simultaneously.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring voltage harmonics and current harmonics on AC (alternating current) power systems The instrument includes the ability to determine when threshold limits have been exceeded for harmonics. The instrument also includes timing thresholds whose inputs are activated when the harmonic thresholds are exceeded A single harmonic threshold is applied to measurements from multiple phases on poly-phase systems by comparing the square root of the sum of the squares of measurements from each phase to the harmonic threshold. Three indicators show when voltage harmonic limits are exceeded, current harmonics limits are exceeded, or both voltage and current harmonic limits are exceeded simultaneously.