Abstract: In a vibration motor assembly for use in, e.g., a portable phone, a weight is mounted on the output shaft of a motor and has a hermetically closed bore filled with a magnetic fluid. A magnetic body is disposed in the bore in the vicinity of the center of rotation of the weight. When the motor is not energized, the weight is held in a halt together with the shaft of the motor. In this condition, magnetic particles included in the magnetic fluid adhere to the magnetic body due to a magnetic force acting between the particles and the body. That is, all the magnetic particles are positioned in the vicinity of the center of rotation of the weight. Consequently, even a small torque, i.e., a small current can cause the motor to start rotating.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an area and sounding an alarm comprising. The system employs one or more sensors positioned about the protected area. Each sensor has one or more pulse generators generating one or more pulses each with a preassigned pulsewidth. The sensors are connected to a controller by a single wire. The controller sounds an alarm upon receipt of one or more pulses and identifies the sensor actuating the alarm by the measured pulsewidth.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting stolen electronic assemblies that have been illegally added to a second vehicle. When a vehicle is manufactured, each electronic assemblies within the vehicle are provided with unique identification codes that can be accessed electronically. The codes for the various electronic assemblies are assigned to the vehicle in which those assemblies are originally manufactured. When the vehicle is inspected or serviced, the electronic identification code from each electronic assembly can be read. The various electronic identification codes are compared to an authorized identification code that identifies the vehicle in which the various electronic assemblies are contained. If the identification code from one of the electronic assemblies does not match the authorized identification code for the vehicle, then it can be determined that the electronic assembly in question is not original to the vehicle.

Abstract: Travel trailer and motor home users must periodically use various facilities for filling motor fuel tanks and water storage tanks of their vehicles, as well as dumping their waste water and sewerage receptacles. Typically the fill or discharge receptacles for these different tanks are located at different locations along the length of the vehicle, making it difficult to align the vehicle with the different service facilities. The present invention comprises a device whereby a driver can accurately line up fill and discharge receptacles with the corresponding service at a service station or dump station without the aid of a second person or the need for leaving the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of and device for assisting in identifying and recovering a stolen vehicle is disclosed. In the method, an activation signal is sent and received at a stolen vehicle. An alerting signal is sent from the stolen vehicle in response to receiving the activation signal. The alerting signal is received, and an identification signal is sent in response to receiving the alerting signal. The identification signal is received at the stolen vehicle, and an identification device on the vehicle is activated in response to receiving the identification signal. In a method according to the present invention, a control signal is also sent to and received by the stolen vehicle. A control system of the stolen vehicle is operated via the control signal to bring the stolen vehicle to a safe stop.

Abstract: A system which allows the firefighter to monitor a variety of safety related parameters during firefighting activities through audible and/or visual means. The system of the present invention monitors the pressure in the firefighter's breathing system and also monitors ambient temperature and motion of the firefighter. An audible alarm is activated to indicate a potential emergency situation relating to low remaining air time, impending thermal breakthrough or lack of motion of the firefighter.

Abstract: This invention provides an antitheft system comprising an antitheft gate 2 installed in the vicinity of an exit of a store, and an alarm unit 1 attached to a commodity. The gate 2 has incorporated therein a signal generator 21 for producing a notifying signal, and an alarm device 22 capable of producing an alarm. The alarm unit 1 comprises an electronic buzzer 11, a receiving antenna 15 for receiving the notifying signal from the signal generator 21 of the gate 2, and a control circuit 17 for operating the buzzer 11 upon the antenna 15 receiving the notifying signal. The alarm device 22 of the gate 2 comprises an alarm producing circuit 225 capable of producing an alarm, a receiving antenna 221 for receiving electromagnetic waves generated by the buzzer 11 by operating the buzzer 11, and a control circuit 224 for operating the alarm producing circuit 225 upon the antenna 221 receiving the electromagnetic waves. The construction described renders the alarm unit 1 compact.

Abstract: A suitcase locating device for quickly finding luggage in an airport luggage pick-up area. The suitcase locating device includes a housing. The housing has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side, a back side, a first side wall and a second side wall. The housing is generally hollow. The top surface has a plurality of bar code indicia thereon. The bar code indicia is unique to the housing. A microprocessor actuates a plurality of lights and decodes a received signal. The microprocessor is securably mounted in the housing. A power supply for powering the microprocessor is operationally coupled to the microprocessor. Each of a plurality of lights is mounted in and is generally flush with the top surface of the housing. Each of the lights is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. A receiving means for receiving a signal is securely positioned in the housing and operationally coupled to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An article identification and surveillance tag comprises an elongate member having in longitudinal succession a top segment, a first fold portion, an intermediate segment, a second fold portion, a bottom segment, an EAS marker being secured centrally of at least one of a front surface of the intermediate segment and a front surface of said bottom segment, permanent sealable matter being disposed at marginal parts of at least one of the front surface of the intermediate segment and the front surface of said bottom segment, at least one of the rear surface of the bottom segment and the front surface of the top segment bearing a releasable sealable matter.

Abstract: An alarm system for a vehicle having a door and a seat belt that includes: a door position sensor; a seat belt position sensor; an alarm, operable when the vehicle is running, that sounds only when the door position sensor determines the door is open and the seat belt position sensor determines the seat belt is inactive. A method of preventing unsafe vehicle operation and a vehicle having the alarm system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a data communications bus, a remote keyless entry (RKE) system, and a piggyback controller at the vehicle for performing a desired function based upon predetermined RKE signals generated on the data communications bus by the RKE controller. The RKE system may include an RKE transmitter to be carried by a user, an RKE receiver, and the RKE controller connected to the RKE receiver for generating the RKE signals on the data communications bus responsive to the RKE transmitter. An RKE actuator is connected to the bus for performing an RKE function. The piggyback controller permits the straightforward addition of one or more new remote control functions to a vehicle already including a remote keyless entry system and a data communications bus. The piggyback controller may comprise a piggyback alarm controller connected to at least one vehicle security sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an emergency exit light having an installation body having a light fitting and a power supply device inside thereof and an indicating board made of transparent material, words or figures sculptured on the indicating board fixed under the installation body. And the improvement is characterized by the installation body consisting of a main body formed in a squeezing manner by aluminum material, a side plate engaged at the open side of the main body and two side covers fixed at two ends of the main body. The LED is mounted on the lighting circuit board in a manner of series connection while the lighting circuit board is fixed at the lower end of the main body, and the series-connected LED is situated at the top of the indicating board. The power supply device is disposed at the top end of the main body wherein an uninterrupted circuit is fitted to a power supply circuit board.

Abstract: An actuable audible display (10) for mounting on the handlebars (12) of a child's vehicle such as a bicycle includes a visual image (15) depicted on a plate-like member (16) affixed to the handlebars and an actuable sound unit (19) mounted on the back of the plate-like member, which can be actuated by the rider of the bicycle to produce audible sounds that are commonly associated with what is depicted in the visual image. The plate-like member (16) has a generally trapezoidal shape corresponding to the shape of the handlebars, and is securable to the handlebars by looping self-locking ties (38) through holes (28, 30, 32, 34) in the plate-like member. The sound unit (19) is actuated by a button (54) which causes an electronics package (54) to retrieve from storage a recorded sound and to drive a loudspeaker 58 to produce a corresponding audible sound effect.

Abstract: The resonance frequency of a resonant circuit section does not change even if the surface of an article whose theft is monitored is formed of any material. An antitheft tag mounted on the article (11) whose theft is monitored includes a resonant circuit section resonating with the radio wave having a particular frequency and transmitted from a transmitting antenna. An electromagnetic shield layer formed of an insulating material is interposed between the mounting surface of the article and the resonant circuit section. The electromagnetic shield layer may be formed of ferrite powder or soft magnetic powder which has a particle size of 10 &mgr;m or less and plastic or rubber or may be formed by laminating a first layer composed of a composite material and a second layer composed of plastic or rubber. Preferably, the soft magnetic powder is any of amorphous alloy, Permalloy, soft magnetic iron, silicon steel, Sendust alloy and Fe—Al alloy.

Abstract: A vision enhancement system 10 which aids the driver in visually identifying a sensed object 16 without diverting his/her attention from the road ahead. One or more sensors 20 used to collect information about the vehicle's environment are operatively coupled with a controlled source of illumination 38. A processor 24 receives input from the sensors and intelligently determines whether a particular object sensed in or near the current path of the vehicle requires alerting the driver. If so, the processor outputs a control signal 30 to effect illumination of the sensed object. The source of illumination is controlled so as to continuously direct light onto the identified object, even as the vehicle and/or object move simultaneously with respect to one another.

Abstract: An alarm and pump control system for automatic chlorinators of the type used with septic treatment systems is disclosed. The present invention includes a switch module that couples alongside an automatic chlorinator that uses dissolvable standard size chlorine tablets in a stack and an activator module that sits on top of the stack of chlorine tablets and descends as the chlorine tablets dissolve. The switch module includes proximity switches that can be coupled to one or more alarms. The activator module includes one or more magnets that interact with the proximity switches to signal the owner that the chlorinator requires refilling or to cut off the pump power.

Abstract: A method for selecting digital traffic messages in a radio receiver, with traffic messages concerning previously selected routes and corridors along the routes being selected and output.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system and method for a traffic intersection having a traffic light, which selectively extends the duration of a red light cycle to prevent traffic from entering the intersection during a red light violation. Output from one or more violation prediction image capturing devices is used to provide images showing one or more vehicles approaching the intersection. A violation prediction unit, which is also coupled to a signal reflecting a current light phase of the first traffic signal, receives and processes vehicle location information derived from the images to generate violation predictions for the vehicles approaching the intersection. The violation prediction indicates a likelihood that an associated vehicle will violate an upcoming red light phase of the traffic signal. In response to the violation prediction, a violation predicted signal is provided to a traffic signal controlling traffic intersecting with the predicted violator.

Abstract: A side flashing lamp for fitting into a cover cap of a motor vehicle external rear view mirror includes a lamp housing with a light exit opening and a translucent cover which closes the opening. The translucent cover is curved in such a way that it extends from the outward side, that is remote from the vehicle, in a continuous transition into the front side of the cover cap, which faces approximately in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The lamp has at least one light source in the lamp housing and at least one reflector for focusing the light of the light source in a main radiation direction which faces substantially in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The lamp includes at least one further light source with a reflector which focuses the light thereof transversely with respect to the main radiation direction.

Abstract: A vehicular deceleration indication system is provided including an accelerometer situated within a vehicle and adapted to detect a deceleration of the vehicle from an amount of change in momentum thereof with respect to the force of gravity. A lamp assembly includes a plurality lamps each adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof. Also included is a control mechanism adapted to actuate the lamps in a predetermined sequence as the detected deceleration increases.