Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an impending failure of a process sensor is provided. The method includes determining a sensor output noise component, and comparing the output noise component to a historical sensor output noise signature based on at least one of the range of span of the sensor and the process operating conditions. The apparatus includes a computing device including a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor wherein the processor is programmed to execute a software product code segment that includes a comparator, a data historian, an isolator module, and a limit module. The computing device is configured to detect impending failure of a sensor using an output signal noise component of the sensor and wherein the sensor senses a parameter of a process associated with the computing device.

Abstract: A remote control command response confirming apparatus which includes a remote control command reception device for performing an operation corresponding to a received command signal in response to reception of a first remote control command signal, and for transmitting a second remote control command signal in response to the received remote control command signal. The apparatus also includes a remote controller having at least one or more operable function keys and an light emitting diode (LED) lamp for each function key, for transmitting to the remote control command reception device, the first control command signal according a selected function key, and for turning off the lamp corresponding to the key in response to reception of the second remote control command signal.

Abstract: A Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) duplex radio communication system uses an Interrogator to generate a first radio signal by modulating a first information signal onto a radio carrier signal which is sent to at least one remote Tag of the system. The remote Tag receives and modulates a second information signal onto a second radio carrier signal to form a second modulated signal which is transmitted, in a time-slotted manner, back to the Interrogator. The remote Tag selects, or is instructed, how many times it should repetitively transmit the second modulated signal; and selects, or is instructed, over how many of the time slots following receipt of the first radio signal the remote Tag should repetitively transmit the second modulated signal. Other embodiments use Modulated Backscatter to transmit the second modulated signal, and use homodyne detection to demodulate the second modulated signal.

Abstract: In a keyless entry control apparatus having a fault diagnosis unit provided separately from a car and a keyless entry C/U, the fault diagnosis unit transmits a signal to each control unit connected to a communication line, and when receiving a communication enabling signal transmitted from the keyless entry C/U, the fault diagnosis unit can communicate with the keyless entry C/U. In the case where ID codes are entered in the keyless entry C/U, a signal for setting the keyless entry C/U to ID entry mode is transmitted from the fault diagnosis unit to the keyless entry C/U. The keyless entry C/U which received the signal is set to ID entry mode, and transmits entry information of the ID codes entered in an EEPROM to the fault diagnosis unit immediately. The entry information is displayed on a display device of the fault diagnosis unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching the power supply of a computer system by a remote controller are provided. A configuration step is performed first which assigns a selected button on a remote controller to a wake-up operation of the computer system. At the end of the configuration step, a code representative of the selected button being activated is stored into a register within the computer system. If the selected button is found to be activated, the method and apparatus instruct the power supply system to turn on the main power supply.