Abstract: A remote tire monitoring system (10) includes tire monitors (12) positioned at respective wheels of a vehicle (V) for transmitting radio signals modulated by tire data and modulation means positioned above near the tire monitors for imposing a secondary modulation on the radio signals. A receiver (14) receives the radio signals and recovers the tire data (26) from the radio signals and associates the tire monitor with the respective wheels of the vehicle using the secondary modulation.

Abstract: The level of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by resonance of an electric resonator is only one hundredth that of calling radio waves of the detector. Furthermore, when an IC is mounted on the electric resonator and a modulated information code is superposed, the level of the superimposed electromagnetic waves further declines. As a result, sufficient detection directivity and detection distance could not be obtained. To address these problems, the present invention stores a cyclic coil and a capacitor used to cause an electric resonance in response to the first frequency in a sealed non-magnetic container to prevent degradation.

Abstract: The progressive vehicle brake light system of the invention consists of a brake sensor arranged to sense the travel of a brake pedal and a brake light display arranged to illuminate or extinguish in sequence or progressively in response to the travel of the brake pedal. A microcontroller is provided for receiving a signal from the brake sensor and controlling the brake light display accordingly. The brake sensor is typically an optical sensor utilizing infrared transmitters and receivers arranged to sense the distance and direction of travel of the brake pedal. The brake light display consists of a row of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are arranged to illuminate from the opposite ends towards the middle as the brake pedal is depressed and to extinguish in reverse sequence when the brake pedal is released.

Abstract: Disclosed are a shoplifting monitoring apparatus and an attachment unit. The shoplifting monitoring apparatus includes the attachment unit and an alarm device. The attachment unit has an attachment surface to be attached to an article. The attachment unit includes a detection element for detecting whether the attachment unit is attached to the article or not. The attachment unit is provided at the attachment surface with a first portion screw-fittable onto a screw of the article. The attachment unit can be attached to the article by screw-fitting the first portion of the attachment unit onto the screw of the article. The alarm device issues an alarm based on information indicating that the attachment unit is not attached to the article, the information being detected by the detection element.

Abstract: For remotely operating security barriers such as gates, garage doors and the like by manipulating multiple pre-existing equipment controls of a motor vehicle simultaneously or successively, a vehicle-integrated access control device is described having an access control signal transmitter, an optional voltage regulator, and means for causing the operation of the transmitter to depend on the actuation in concert of several vehicle controls such as, for example, the simultaneous or rapidly successive actuation of the left and right turn signals of a motorcycle. A logical AND device and, alternatively, a pair of transistor switches are disclosed for establishing the dependency. One or more optional relays are disclosed for establishing the dependency. A latching circuit is described for establishing the dependency upon successive actuation of first and second circuits.

Abstract: A traffic signal head uses a plurality of LED light sources mounted in one or more containment volumes in a housing. One version uses identical three-color LED light sources distributed through the containment volume: each source having a red light generating element, a yellow light generating element, and a green light generating element. A second version uses identical two-color LED light sources distributed through the containment volume, each source having a red LED light generating element and a green LED light generating element. For the second version, activation circuitry enables individual activation of the red LED elements to produce red signals, individual activation of the green LED elements to produce green signals, and concurrent activation of both types of LED elements to produce yellow signals. Both versions can be electrically configured to display any of the three colors, as well as special symbols-such as directional arrows.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for a special object such as a handicapped individual and/or special equipment with access to and from telecommunications and computer controlled equipment. The equipment being such as to let it be known of the special object being in a particular moving or still environ, and requiring special attention from and/or by others entering or located in that environs The special object, handicapped person or special equipment is made known to those in the environ so as to protect/preserve/serve that object, individual, special equipment, and/or to others entering or located in that environ. The equipment transmits an alarm type signal that a handicapped individual or special equipment is in the environ. The computerized apparatus/method being adapted to be responsive to particular sensations, seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, etc., which are operational in the particular handicapped individual.

Abstract: The invention concerns a non acoustic alarm device, intended to be fitted to a unit worn in contact with the body, such as a timepiece or a portable telephone, including a case, a moving mass within said case intended to transmit vibrations thereto, a coil (L) electromagnetically coupled to said moving mass to cause it to oscillate, and an excitation circuit of said coil. According to the invention, the device includes means for measuring the instantaneous oscillation frequency of the coil-moving mass unit during the oscillation in progress, as well as means for generating a series of excitation pulses for said coil during the following oscillation, whose characteristics are a function of the measurement of said instantaneous oscillation frequency. Due to its high yield and low energy consumption, this device is particularly suitable for watches.

Abstract: A security system (10) for providing a remote indication of a breach in security including an electronic device with an electronic device body (12) and a disabling member (14) couplable thereto. The electronic device is disabled by removing the disabling member (14). A security breach causes an alarm signal to be sent to the disabling member (14), which announces the receipt of an alarm signal. The electronic device can be a vehicle sound-reproduction device, and the disabling member (14) can be all or a portion of a face thereof. The alarm signal can be sent first by radio transmission that, if necessary, can be supplemented by a mobile communications transmission. The disabling member (14) could further act as a mobile communications pager and as a mobile telephone. The disabling member (14) could operate to affect operation of a vehicle in which the security system (10) is employed.

Abstract: An ingress monitoring device (400) for monitoring and detecting reverse signals that may include ingress signals. The ingress monitoring device (400) includes a processor (430) for resolving the reverse signals into predetermined sub-bands at a first resolution. A power computation circuit (435) computes a power level for each of the sub-bands. A threshold comparison circuit (445) then compares the power level that is indicative to the power level of the ingress signals for each of the sub-bands with a predetermined threshold value. When ingress signals are detected by the ingress monitoring device (400), an alarm signal is sent that indicates the specific communications equipment in which the ingress signals have been detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing moisture in a diaper comprises a portable alarm unit, a pouch-like diaper insert made from waterproof dental bib material with an opening at one end and a moisture sensing strip made of highly efficient liquid absorption and transfer capillary wick material. The wick strip has a substantially short front non-conductive portion protruding out of the diaper insert for placement in a diaper crotch area and a substantially long back portion having a pair of screen-printed spaced apart conductive ink bands which couple electrically at one end to the alarm unit. The conductive ink bands include a terminal tortuous conductive ink pattern screen-printed in close proximity to the substantially short first wick portion to increase moisture contact surface area, minimize moisture transfer distance and significantly reduce the alarm unit response time.

Abstract: A duplex communication apparatus for motor vehicle comprises a sensor, a first cellular phone, an alarm, a RF module, a first decoder, a CPU, a memory, an input, an output, a voice generator, a DTMF decoder, and a speaker. First cellular phone and alarm are switched to a ready state when a motor vehicle owner leaves the motor vehicle so that once sensor or both sensor and alarm enabled the apparatus is activated, whereby a two-way communication is established between the owner and the person at the motor vehicle through sensor, CPU, voice generator, a second cellular phone carried by the owner, and speaker.

Abstract: A visual alarm device includes a flash tube that provides a visual indication responsive to trigger a signal. A strobe circuit is coupled between the flash tube and a power source and causes a flash tube to emit light at a desired flash rate. The strobe circuit includes a storage circuit, an in-rush current limiting circuit control unit.

Abstract: A powerline communication system including a transmitter having a pair of terminals for connection to the power lines. The transmitter comprises a carrier frequency generator for generating a carrier frequency modulated by the data signal and a switching circuit connected to the carrier frequency generator for being switched by the carrier frequency generator for generating a carrier signal having the carrier frequency. The switching circuit is connected to the terminals for providing the generated carrier signal thereto. The switching circuit comprises at least one storage means for storing energy when generating a portion of a cycle of the carrier signal and providing the stored energy when generating another portion of the cycle of the carrier signal. The system also comprises a receiver coupled to the power lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuse holder for a fuse-link in which a fuse status indicator having a printed circuit board and a glow lamp is fitted. The necessary connecting lines are made of conductive plastic from the top and base contacts of the fuse-link to the printed circuit board of the status indicator. The conductive plastic is injected in channels which are provided therefor and are situated in the housing of the fuse holder.

Abstract: An improved crane warning system which includes acceleration sensors, motion sensors, hydraulic sensors, remote communications and/or a camera. The crane warning system may include a crane warning device integrated into the ball of the crane.

Abstract: Audio alerts are provided in an environment, such as a house, concerning categorized events to be reported. Examples of the events are receipt of e-mails and voice mails. The presence of a person entering or leaving a space of the environment is detected and a processing system determines reportable event categories that have occurred. Each possible event category has a corresponding audio signature. The event categories signatures that have occurred are played either simultaneously or sequentially, within the hearing of the person detected.

Abstract: A device for providing a plurality of indications of a select pressure, said device including: an electronic interface having an input and an output; a resistive structure adapted to measure the select pressure and being electrically coupled to the input of the electronic interface; a first output for providing a signal indicative of the select pressure, the first output being electrically coupled to the output of the electronic interface; and, a comparator coupled to the output of the electronic interface and being adapted to provide a signal indicative of whether the select pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring system for monitoring an internal combustion engine. The monitoring system includes a power source having a winding and a magnet that magnetically interacts with the winding to generate a winding signal. The monitoring system further includes a conditioner that conditions the winding signal to generate a conditioned signal, a counter circuit powered by the conditioned signal that outputs an indication signal, and a visual or audible indicator that provides indication to the user upon receiving the indication signal.

Abstract: An electrochromic window assembly includes a security system for monitoring breakage of the electrochromic window assembly. Control circuitry is connected to the electrochromic window assembly for monitoring an electrical characteristic of one or more conductive coatings within the electrochromic window assembly, such as electrical resistance. Upon detecting a change in the electrical resistance, such as that caused by a break in one or more conductive coating, an alarm signal is generated and is sent to an alarm trigger circuit for activating an alarm. A method for monitoring penetration or breakage of an electrochromic window assembly is also provided, which method involves applying electrical activation to an electrochromic assembly and monitoring for a change in an electrical characteristic based on the applied electrical potential. Electrochromic window assemblies incorporating security alarm features in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful in automobile applications.