Abstract: An interrogation device includes an emitter configured to emit an infrared (IR) inquiry signal to a target entity to determine if the target entity is a friendly entity. The interrogation device also includes a viewing device, configured to view IR signals, through which an IR response beacon signal from a target beacon of the target entity is viewed. The viewing device is configured to output a signal having a signal pattern of a response beacon signal expected from a beacon associated with the friendly entity, so that the target beacon is determined to be associated with the friendly entity if the response signal pattern of the target beacon matches the expected signal pattern in the viewing device.

Abstract: A beacon device for control by a beacon controller external to the beacon device. The beacon device includes a beacon emitter configured to emit beacon signals, a microcontroller coupled to control the beacon emitter, and a communication module coupled to the microcontroller and configured to transfer signals between the beacon device and the beacon controller.

Abstract: A beacon device for control by a beacon controller external to the beacon device. The beacon device includes a beacon emitter configured to emit beacon signals, a microcontroller coupled to control the beacon emitter, and a communication module coupled to the microcontroller and configured to transfer signals between the beacon device and the beacon controller.

Abstract: A beacon includes an infrared emitter configured to emit beacon signals; an infrared-link emitter configured to emit infrared-link signals having a wavelength different from that of the beacon signals; an infrared-link detector configured to detect infrared-link signals; a memory configured to store a delay time; a clock configured to generate a clock cycle signal; and a microcontroller configured to, in response to receiving an infrared-link signal including a signaling code and clock synchronization data from an external beacon: adjust the clock to be synchronized with a clock of the external beacon; store the signaling code in the memory; and when the clock cycle signal generated by the clock indicates that it is a starting time of a clock cycle period, control the infrared emitter to emit a beacon signal including the signaling code with the delay time relative to the starting time of the clock cycle period.

Abstract: A method for power management in a beacon includes determining a program density of a signaling program; determining an initial driving voltage using the program density; determining a current setting for an emitter using the initial driving voltage; adjusting the initial driving voltage to a start-up voltage; executing the signaling program using the start-up voltage; and adjusting the start-up voltage to a signaling voltage.

Abstract: A method for power management in a beacon includes determining a program density of a signaling program; determining an initial driving voltage using the program density; determining a current setting for an emitter using the initial driving voltage; adjusting the initial driving voltage to a start-up voltage; executing the signaling program using the start-up voltage; and adjusting the start-up voltage to a signaling voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fratricide including an emitter that emits a signaling code at a wavelength, the signaling code representing a coded message; a receiver that captures an image of a field of view including the emitter and generates image information corresponding to the captured image; a translation system that: receives the image information, and decodes the coded message from the image information; and a output device that outputs the decoded message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fratricide including an emitter that emits a signaling code at a wavelength, the signaling code representing a coded message; a receiver that captures an image of a field of view including the emitter and generates image information corresponding to the captured image; a translation system that: receives the image information, and decodes the coded message from the image information; and a output device that outputs the decoded message.

Abstract: A programmable infrared beacon having an electronics circuit with a microprocessor contained within a transparent housing. A number of signaling infrared light emitting diodes are provided within the housing and connected to the electronics circuit. The beacon has a number of pins for inputting programs and controls and a number of color-coded light emitting diodes within the housing indicating the inputted program. An infrared received sub-circuit is provided to receive instructions from an external source. A programmer unit is also provided to prepare and transmit programs and controls to the beacon. Synchronization and cascading among beacons is provided with synchronization and delay programs within the microprocessor. An infrared detector is also provided to allow synchronization reception among beacons. In an alternate embodiment, a radio frequency transceiver and antenna is added to each beacon.

Abstract: A system comprised of a one or more rapidly flashing thermal image beacons, a plurality of sensors, a control subsystem, input means, and a power source. Each beacon being comprised of a precision machined and polished parabolic or elliptical mirror. A resistive heating element is nominally positioned at the mirror focal point. The heating element is mounted on a carriage which can be moved backwards and forwards by a microprocessor-controlled mechanism. The resulting oscillatory action creates a rapidly changing coded flashing thermal image.

Abstract: A heat emitting beacon having a rotating parabolic mirror to concentrate the heat from a gas heat source, said mirror back being coated with a passive cold emission material comprised of a metalized plastic film creased and crumpled to form a multitude of reflective facets and preventing any reflected light. In a second embodiment, a rotating, single- or double-sided surface is coated with the passive cold emission material. In another embodiment, a signal beacon is comprised of a plurality of detachable strips of the passive cold emission material. In another embodiment, a plurality of surface elements covered with the passive cold emission material is arranged as a louver.

Abstract: An illuminating device in combination with a microphone boom attached to a helmet worn by an operator. The illumination device is actuated by either lip action or push button. The brightness of the selected illumination is changeable by means of a potentiometer thumbwheel. The illumination device provides one spot and three flood light emitting diodes which may individually or as a group switched on or off. The illumination device has a universal clamping system permitting attachment to single or double boom microphone.

Abstract: A money dispensing machine with a tiltable screen module. The tiltable screen display module has two side handles for vertically tilting the face of the screen. Each tiltable display side has a heavy duty pivot mechanism fitted with a torque limiting device to provide constant friction resistance, each said pivot mechanism adapted to engage a display module side.

Abstract: A box opening machine adapted to opening a pre-packaged box containing coin rolls and emptying the coin rolls into a coin roll cassette. The invention provides a platform with a box slicer. The box is pushed over a platform work surface whereby the box bottom is sliced opened. The sliced box is then slid over a loading hopper wherein the box contents are emptied. The coin rolls from the box are then channeled into a coin roll cassette. The empty box is discarded.

Abstract: A money dispensing machine with a tiltable screen module. The tiltable screen display module has two side handles for vertically tilting the face of the screen. Each tiltable display side has a heavy duty pivot mechanism fitted with a torque limiting device to provide constant friction resistance, each said pivot mechanism adapted to engage a display module side.

Abstract: A box opening machine adapted to opening a pre-packaged box containing coin rolls and emptying the coin rolls into a coin roll cassette. The invention provides a platform with a box slicer. The box is pushed over a platform work surface whereby the box bottom is sliced opened. The sliced box is then slid over a loading hopper wherein the box contents are emptied. The coin rolls from the box are then channeled into a coin roll cassette. The empty box is discarded.

Abstract: In a coin dispensing apparatus having a plurality of magazines arranged one above another for storing rolls of coins, each magazine having a coin roll outlet at one end and an opposite rear end, said apparatus having a lifting conveyor having a plurality of hods which interact with the outlet of the magazine to receive coin rolls therefrom, said apparatus having a plurality of shelves for supporting the magazines in position with a spacing between them the same as the spacing of the hods along the lifting conveyor, each said shelf having an underside with a bracket attached thereto, each said shelf having an end nearest to the lifting conveyor, said apparatus having a dispensing outlet adapted to receive and dispense coin rolls transported thereto by the lifting conveyor, a lever attached to each shelf, said lever being geometrically arranged to automatically interrelate with a coin roll about to be fed from a magazine into an empty hod position, a coin roll waiting to be fed from the magazine immediately abo

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus comprised of a plurality of magazines for storing coin rolls, a lifting conveyor having a plurality of hods which are driven by the lifting conveyor and interact with an outlet for each magazine to receive coin rolls therefrom. An optional transporting conveyor is also provided. The transport conveyor has a plurality of hods which are driven by the transport conveyor and which interact with the hods of the lifting conveyor for transfer of coin rolls from the lifting conveyor to the transport conveyor. A dispensing outlet is provided which cooperates with the hods of the lifting conveyor or the transport conveyor to receive coin rolls transported thereto.