Abstract: A school bus safety device provides an engine status line wired to a voltage detection location. The voltage detection location is a point in the electrical system of the school bus which is typically at a high voltage potential when the engine is in operation, and is at the same potential as ground when the engine is turned off. An edge-triggered logic device, such as a flip-flop, receives the engine status line as a clock pulse input. In a typical application, the falling edge of the engine status line causes the output line of the logic device to go high, thereby driving an annunciator, such as a buzzer. Therefore, turning off the engine of the bus causes the buzzer to sound. The driver walks to the rear of the bus and notices if any sleeping children are left on board. A key switch device, located in the back of the bus, is used to send a reset to the logic device, thereby turning off the buzzer. The driver then walks back to the front of the bus, double-checking to see that all children are off the bus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically and independently determining aircraft altitude and alerting the pilot to deviations from a target altitude exceeding a specified tolerance. The alerter comprises an altitude sensing means for sensing the present altitude of the aircraft. The invention discloses three sources for altitude information namely, a self-contined sensor such as a pressure transducer, a Global Positioning System receive, or an altitude encoder. A target entry means is used for entering the target altitude. An indicating means signals an altitude alerting condition upon the detection of a condition wherein the absolute difference is larger than the tolerance value. The altitude alerting apparatus may also comprise a display means for display of the present aircraft altitude information.

Abstract: A process reliably detects the change of the locking state of at least one lock with a logic with memory and display attached to a key. The process includes determining a rotation of the key associated with the lock within the lock, detecting a single or multiple rotation in unlocking or locking direction of the lock and simultaneously determining whether the detected rotation occurs in unlocking or locking direction of the lock. A signal is generated that indicates the unlocking or locking of the lock. This signal is stored in the memory of the logic, and the signal is displayed. A device for implementing the process includes one or several markers mounted near the lock, one or several sensors non-rotatably connected with the key for detecting these markers, a logic attachable to the key with a memory in which data can be stored whereby the logic can process the signals received from the sensors, and a display for displaying the locking state.

Abstract: According to the invention there is in conjunction with a pneumatic tire (10′) having an electronic tag (100) mounted therein with a patch (70′) having a first side (72′) for mounting against the innerliner of the tire, a second arcuately-shaped side (73′) and an internally threaded member (71′) extending to the arcuately-shaped side (73′). The electronic tag has a pressure sensor (116) located at the bottom of a tubular shaped air inlet structure (118) opening at an upper surface (122a) of the electronic tag, an internally threaded nut (132) having one end (132a) disposed within the electronic tag (100) and an opposite end (132b) extending outward from the upper surface (122a) of the tag, an externally threaded member (134) threaded into the internally threaded nut (132) and extending through the upper surface (122a).

Abstract: An identification assembly for identifying a patient including a strap which can be secured around a patient's wrists or the like which cannot be removed thereafter without destroying the strap, an electronic memory means which is integrally secured to the strap and cannot be removed therefrom without destroying the memory means and a removably attachable transmitter assembly which can be attached to the strap for communication with the memory means or removed from the strap, the transmitter assembly including a processor for reading information from the memory means and a transmitter for transmitting information read from the memory means, the transmitter and processor also capable of cooperating to receive signals and provide data to the memory means.

Abstract: A device for finding a position of a human comprises a micro controller, a pyro-electrical infrared sensing unit, a first motor, a rotating speed feed back unit, an ultrasonic sensing unit and a second motor. The infrared sensing unit is fitted to an edge of a disc coupled to the shaft of the first motor. The rotating speed feed back unit has a rotating disc which is also coupled to the shaft of the first motor. The ultrasonic sensing unit is fitted to an edge of a second disc coupled to the shaft of the second motor such that it can move with rotating of the second disc. The micro controller activates the first motor and the infrared sensing unit to search for a human, and figures out the direction of that human by means of the rotating speed feed back unit. At the same time, the controller activates the second motor for the ultrasonic unit to be directed to the found human; thus, the distance from that human to the device is available.

Abstract: A system and method to more efficiently exchange information between a service provider, such as a semiconductor company, and its remote equipment units. The system capable of immediately handling a number of information items, each belonging to a different remote equipment unit is disclosed. The system includes a central controller configured for interfacing with a plurality of remote equipment units via a wireless network. The central controller is configured to receive information from each remote equipment unit via a wireless network. This information includes alarm conditions and corresponding requests for repair. Each of the remote equipment units is identified by a unique code which is included in the information transmitted to the computer to identity the source (i.e., identity of the transmitting remote equipment unit). The central controller uses the code of the transmitting remote equipment unit to retrieve the corresponding data record stored in its memory.

Abstract: A system for correlating the route of travel of an emergency vehicle with a railroad crossing by, when the crossing is blocked, sensing the presence of a train and communicating between the railroad crossing, police stations, fire stations, and an emergency vehicle dispatch center.

Abstract: An optoelectric safety system which protects a free entrance or access opening in a machine's protective housing or protective cage at all times during operation. The system includes a reflection light scanner on the machine frame above and adjacent the floor at the front of the machine in the vicinity of the entrance or access opening, which emits a scanning beam covering a horizontal or inclined area and which generates an inner permanent protective field and an outer dynamic protective field.

Abstract: The invention is a method of monitoring and assessing a fee for parking a vehicle in a toll parking location where the user pays only for the actual parking time used. The invention includes providing indicia for a toll parking location and unique indicia for a vehicle to be positioned in that parking location. The user notifies a remote central control unit the location indicia, the vehicle unique indicia, and the start time of parking the vehicle in the location. Later, the user notifies the remote central control unit of the vehicle unique indicia, and the finish time of parking the vehicle in the location. The remote central control unit then assesses a fee to the user for the duration of time the vehicle occupied the parking location. A method of monitoring parked vehicles to assure compliance with toll parking regulations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having an aperture sized and configured to receive a grease fitting. The devices comprise a temperature sensor or a vibration sensor, or both, to enable detection of impending bearing failure, and further comprise rigidly attached electronic components which amplify signals generated by the temperature sensor and/or vibration sensor. The devices may be adapted to either replace or supplement conventional grease fittings, and enable the transmission of electronic signals which may be used for constant monitoring of critical equipment. Bearing housings which incorporate these features, as well as subassemblies and related methods, are also described.

Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) that incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement that straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly includes a brake lining and a housing. The brake lining has a predetermined thickness which gradually wears away and increases in temperature during a vehicle braking application. The housing is positioned to wear away and increase in temperature concurrently with the brake lining. An electrical wear loop circuit is encapsulated in the housing for directing power from a power source to a remote indicator in response to a wear opening in the loop circuit. A thermally sensitive switching element is encapsulated in the housing and connected in electrical series with the wear loop circuit for directing power from the power source to the remote indicator in response to the temperature of the housing exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: The device according to the invention provides a non-contacting temperature sensing device incorporating micro-bolometric detectors as the suitable infrared sensors for automotive applications. A first and second infrared sensors each include an active infrared sensing element and a temperature drift compensating element. A current bias is applied to the active infrared sensing element as well as to the temperature drift compensating element, which is identical in structure with the active infrared sensing element, and the voltage outputs of these two elements pass through a differential amplifier. The fluctuation in the substrate temperature or the ambient temperature affects the active sensing element and the compensating element in the same way, thus it is cancelled out. Instead of using one spectral band of the infrared radiation, as in the prior art, two spectral bands are used resulting in a first and second signal generated by the first and second infrared sensors.

Abstract: Protection against use of a two way radio, e.g. a cellular phone, at a combustible delivery station. One mode is active, and detects operating cell phones at the gas station. The phones can be detected using Bluetooth. The pump can be turned off when the alarm is detected. Another mode is passive. This mode can be via shielding, alone or with RF jamming.

Abstract: A contraband detection and article reclaim system includes at least one article inspection system configured to derive inspection data from an article and compare the inspection data to target object data to detect contraband, and to assign matching information to each article in which contraband was detected that matches the article to its inspection data. The at least one article inspection system is connected to a server and the inspection data and the matching information are transferred to the server. An article tagging system is configured to generate a tag for each article in which contraband was detected. The tag includes the matching information about the article and at least one workstation coupled to said server and configured to permit entry of the matching information so that the inspection data of an article in which contraband was detected can be transferred to the workstation and to display the inspection data.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder (tag) in accordance with the principles of the invention includes a patch antenna. The patch antenna may be co-located with RFID circuitry and an impedance matching circuit on one side of a substrate. A ground plane may be formed on the opposite side of the substrate. A quarter wave transformer may provide an “RF short” to ground to connect the RFID circuitry on one side of the substrate with a ground plane located on the opposite side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and testing an electronic circuit, the method comprising forming a plurality of conductive traces on a substrate and providing a gap in one of the conductive traces; attaching a circuit component to the substrate and coupling the circuit component to at least one of the conductive traces; supporting a battery on the substrate, and coupling the battery to at least one of the conductive traces, wherein a completed circuit would be defined, including the traces, circuit component, and battery, but for the gap; verifying electrical connections by performing an in circuit test, after the circuit component is attached and the battery is supported; and employing a jumper to electrically close the gap, and complete the circuit, after verifying electrical connections.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an engine oil change indicator system, including: a combination engine oil pressure sensor and engine oil temperature sensor connected to a port on the engine to which port is normally connected an oil pressure switch; and a microprocessor connected to receive inputs from the combination engine oil pressure sensor and engine oil temperature sensor and to cause a low engine oil pressure warning light to be illuminated when the microprocessor has calculated from the inputs that the engine oil should be changed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a mobile machine. The machine includes a mobile communicator adapted to communicate with a remote monitoring station. The method includes the steps of receiving a configuration message from the remote monitoring station via a wireless communication link, comparing at least one of a current machine position to the configuration information a current machine time of operation to the configuration message, and sending an alarm message to the remote monitoring station in response the comparison.