Abstract: A metal detector for detecting the presence of a ferrite object in the proximity of inductively coupled sensor having overlapping D shaped transmitter and receiver coils. The metal detector has a phase shift circuit to phase shifting a sensor output signal by a known amount and a switch operating in synchronization with an excitation signal of the sensor for sampling the amplitude of the phase shifted output signal.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device that includes a transceiver device, a microprocessor operatively connected to the transceiver device, as well as a memory, an electronic output device, and a plurality of input mechanisms, all of which are operatively connected to the microprocessor. In some embodiments, the microprocessor may be programmed with logic that allows a user of the device to take and manipulate measurements using a menu-driven procedure by using the input mechanisms to select and activate desired operations.

Abstract: A canopy lighting device comprising a body having a light source and a base that magnetically couples to the body. The body and the base can be located on opposite sides of a fabric sheet to magnetically clamp the lighting device to the fabric sheet. The base may have an energy source, first electrical connection features coupled electrically to the energy source, and first magnetic connection features. The body may have a light source, second magnetic connection features for cooperating with the first magnetic connection features to clamp the body to the bases and second electrical connection features. The second electrical connection features cooperate with the first electrical connection features of the base when the body and the base are clamped together.

Abstract: A sensing device having a sensing surface for placing against a wall for detecting objects behind a wall lining has first and second sensors, each sensor including at least first and second capacitor plates and associated resistors forming RC circuits having time constants dependent on the adjacent wall material. Detection circuits connected to the RC circuits provide first and second voltage signals having amplitudes dependent on capacitance changes. A processor effects a comparison of the first and second voltage signals, and compares them to establish the magnitude of the voltage difference between the voltage signals, indicating a detected object center position when the difference signal is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A canopy lighting device comprising a body having a light source and a base that magnetically couples to the body. The body and the base can be located on opposite sides of a fabric sheet to magnetically clamp the lighting device to the fabric sheet. The base may have an energy source, first electrical connection features coupled electrically to the energy source, and first magnetic connection features. The body may have a light source, second magnetic connection features for cooperating with the first magnetic connection features to clamp the body to the base, and second electrical connection features. The second electrical connection features cooperate with the first electrical connection features of the base when the body and the base are clamped together.

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity stud sensing device for determining a location of objects behind a wall lining has a housing with a surface for moving over the wall lining. Within the housing are a capacitive sensor with first and second capacitances located adjacent the surface and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a detecting circuit connected to the sensor for providing a detection signal related to an imbalance between the first and second capacitances, and a processor for receiving the detection signals and providing a display signal. A display is located on the housing for indicating location of an object behind the wall lining. The processor compares a detection signal to stored predetermined threshold values of detection signals associated with different wall lining thicknesses and displays a thickness value to the user.

Abstract: A metal detector for detecting the presence of a ferrite object in the proximity of inductively coupled sensor having overlapping D shaped transmitter and receiver coils. The metal detector has a phase shift circuit to phase shifting a sensor output signal by a known amount and a switch operating in synchronisation with an excitation signal of the sensor for sampling the amplitude of the phase shifted output signal.

Abstract: A sensing device having a sensing surface for placing against a wall for detecting objects behind a wall lining has first and second sensors, each sensor including at least first and second capacitor plates and associated resistors forming RC circuits having time constants dependent on the adjacent wall material. Detection circuits connected to the RC circuits provide first and second voltage signals having amplitudes dependent on capacitance changes. A processor effects a comparison of the first and second voltage signals, and compares them to establish the magnitude of the voltage difference between the voltage signals, indicating a detected object center position when the difference signal is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity stud sensing device for determining a location of objects behind a wall lining has a housing with a surface for moving over the wall lining. Within the housing are a capacitive sensor with first and second capacitances provided adjacent the surface and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a detecting circuit connected to the sensor for providing a detection signal related to an imbalance between the first and second capacitances, a processor for receiving the detection signals signal and providing a display signal. A display is provided on the housing for indicating a location of an object behind the wall lining. The processor compares the detection signal to stored predetermined threshold values of detection signals associated with different wall lining thickness and displays a thickness value to the user.

Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal at a distant object, an acoustic signal receiver for receiving a reflected acoustic signal reflected from the distant object, a temperature sensor detecting air temperature, a humidity sensor detecting air humidity, an amplifier amplifying the reflected acoustic signal, a comparator coupled to the amplifier comparing the amplified reflected acoustic signal with a reference and generating a comparator output when the level of the amplified reflected acoustic signal exceeds the reference, a gain controller increasing the gain from transmitting an acoustic signal until the comparator output is generated, a threshold generator providing the reference to the comparator and decreasing the reference at an exponential rate from transmitting the acoustic signal until the comparator output is generated, and a controller determining use of only the air temperature, velocity of the acoustic signal, and distance traveled from transmitti

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity stud sensing device for determining a location of objects behind a wall lining has a housing with a surface for moving over the wall lining. Within the housing are a capacitive sensor with first and second capacitances provided adjacent the surface and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a detecting circuit connected to the sensor for providing a detection signal related to an imbalance between the first and second capacitances, a comparator having a reference signal for providing a comparator signal related to a difference between the detection signal and the reference signal, and a controller for receiving the comparator signal and providing a display signal. A display is provided on the housing for indicating a location of an object behind the wall lining. An input device is provided on the housing so that a user of the device can select a value for the reference signal.

Abstract: A method of acoustically obtaining a distance to an object includes transmitting through air an acoustic signal towards an object and receiving a reflected acoustic signal reflected from the object. The time from transmitting the acoustic signal to receiving the reflected acoustic signal is determined. The temperature of the air is determined and used to determined velocity of the acoustic signal. The distance to the object is calculated using the time and the velocity.

Abstract: A display device for the display of information in an environment where the intensity of ambient light varies between high and low levels has a variably intensity light source for illuminating the display and a controller for controlling intensity of the light source automatically in response to a sensed intensity of ambient light energy. The intensity of the light source is controlled between off, low and high values with the light source being off when the intensity of the ambient light is near a high value, low when the intensity of the ambient light is near a low value, and high when the intensity of the ambient light is between the high and low values.

Abstract: A baby monitor has a nursery unit and parent unit. The nursery unit has a controller for generating a privacy code, a microphone for detecting baby sounds and a transmitter for transmitting a signal made up of the privacy code and the baby sounds. The parent unit has a receiver for receiving the signal, a controller for comparing the privacy code to a reference code, and an amplifier and speaker for outputting the baby sounds. The baby sounds are output by the parent unit if the privacy code matches the reference code. The nursery and parent units have a scrambler and descrambler respectively for scrambling the signal.

Abstract: An electronic measuring instrument includes a housing, a storage spool rotatably mounted to the housing, and a thin, flexible line provided on the storage spool and extendible from the housing for measuring distances. The storage spool is rotatable in a first direction for unwinding the line from the storage spool and a second direction for winding the line onto the storage spool. The instrument includes a rotatable drum in engagement with said line so that movement of said line causes movement of said rotatable drum.

Abstract: An improved electronic measuring device has a compact design, is easy to operate, and uses menu-driven logic to minimize the requirement for buttons and/or switches to take, store, recall, and/or manipulate measurements.

Abstract: An electronic drinking mug includes a mug having an outer surface, a heating element in thermal communication with the mug for heating a liquid disposed in the mug, and a temperature sensor in communication with the heating element. The mug has a controller in communication with the heating element for selectively activating and deactivating the heating element for heating the liquid in the mug to a desired temperature, and a user interface attached to the outer surface of the mug and being in communication with the controller for establishing the desired temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity stud sensing device for determining a location of objects behind a wall lining has a housing with a surface for moving over the wall lining. Within the housing are a capacitive sensor with first and second capacitances provided adjacent the surface and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a detecting circuit connected to the sensor for providing a detection signal related to an imbalance between the first and second capacitances, a comparator having a reference signal for providing a comparator signal related to a difference between the detection signal and the reference signal, and a controller for receiving the comparator signal and providing a display signal. A display is provided on the housing for indicating a location of an object behind the wall lining. An input device is provided on the housing so that a user of the device can select a value for the reference signal.

Abstract: A device for locating an object behind a wall lining includes a housing having a front portion fitting substantially in the palm of a user's hand. Operating switches are located in juxtaposition to the grip portion so as to be operable by the user without substantially altering grip on the housing. The device also includes a sensor including a first capacitor plate and a pair of second capacitor plates. The capacitor plates are arranged serially, and calibrated by a pulse width modulator and integrator. Operating electronics are incorporated into an application specific integrated circuit.

Abstract: A digital measuring instrument includes a housing containing a measuring line, a rotatable drum engaging the line whereby movement of the line causes rotation of the drum, a storage spool mounted in the housing for storing the line, a crank assembly for rotating the storage spool for winding the measuring line about the storage spool, and a rotatable disc that rotates simultaneously with the measuring drum. The instrument includes an optical sensor in communication with the rotatable disk for compiling data related to rotation of the disk, and electronic circuitry in communication with the optical sensor for calculating a length of the line drawn from the housing. The housing has a well for receiving the storage spool and a side cover with a slideable lock for covering the well.