Abstract: A mobile detection system for detecting a fire, gas leak, intruder, or other abnormal condition in a house or an office, and for alerting a central monitor, fire station, police station, or an occupant who is away from the house or office. The mobile detection system comprises a self-propelled movable robot having sensors located thereon. A monitor receives signals from the robot and alerts an authorized user accordingly. An automatic communication control unit includes a telephone transmitting unit for automatically calling an appropriate party in response to a signal from the robot and transmits commands to the robot from an authorized calling party. A radio frequency remote controller for remotely controls the robot. The robot is specifically capable of navigating throughout a house or an office while using its sensors to detect abnormal conditions.

Abstract: An electrical amplifier unit which removably attaches to a gas mask and includes a separate microphone for detecting voice sounds emitted by the wearer of the gas mask, circuitry for amplifying the detecting sound, and a loudspeaker for emitting the amplified sounds externally of the mask. The associated components, except for the microphone, are contained within a housing which can be disassembled and which also contains a removable battery pack. The housing also is sealed from the external environment when completely assembled. The circuitry amplifies and filters the signals converted by the microphone and supplies a signal to the loudspeaker which is enhanced in the high frequency range but limited in the low frequency range so that the emitted sound is crisp and intelligible voice sounds. The microphone attaches over the mechanical emitter of the mask remote from the amplifier unit and is connected to an adaptor which mounts the amplifier unit onto the mask.

Abstract: An electrical amplifier unit which removably attaches to a gas mask and includes a microphone for detecting voice sounds emitted by the wearer of the gas mask, circuitry for amplifying the detecting sound, and a loudspeaker for emitting the amplified sounds externally of the mask. The associated components are contained within a housing which can be disassembled and which also contains a removable battery pack. The housing also is sealed from the external environment when completely assembled. The circuitry amplifies and filters the signals converted by the microphone and supplies a signal to the loudspeaker which is enhanced in the high frequency range but limited in the low frequency range so that the emitted voice sound is crisp and intelligible. The amplifier unit is attachable to some gas masks without additional hardware and to others with a removable adaptor. In either case, the amplifier unit does not affect the structural and functional integrity of the host mask.

Abstract: Ultrasonic energy is emitted within a detection envelope from a single transducer and echoes of targets therein are received during scanning displacement of the transducer through a predetermined sweep angle from a zero position on a platform, against the centering bias of springs through which pulse signal current is conducted to and from the transducer. An electromagnetic scanner drive imparts oscillatory motion to the transducer by magnetic generation of displacing forces varied in accordance with its loading at the zero position of the transducer and at limit positions detected by a position sensor to maintain a constant scanning sweep angle in timed relation to pulsing of the transducer through a transmit-receive circuit under preprogrammed computer control.

Abstract: A battery source of dc voltage continuously energizes digital circuitry for controlling operation of analog signal processing circuitry including a microphone preamplifier, an automatic gain control amplifier, a bandpass section and an output buffer driving audio reproducing equipment. The analog signal processing circuitry is energized on select command from the battery source through a switched on power supply. Automatic operation of the gain control amplifier may be disabled and the bandpass section by-passed in response to other select commands.

Abstract: A touch switch contacts on a unit housing are bridged by the fingers of a person's hand when holding the housing to trigger operation of a signal generating oscillator driving a transducer from which "voice" sound is generated and transmitted through a sound tube into the person's mouth for articulation of speech. The oscillator is operated at a low duty cycle for moderate battery consumption when the sound tube is extended from a retracted storage position within a recess formed in the housing.

Abstract: A hand held housing encloses a battery powered sound generator from which an audible voice simulating tone is transmitted through a tube when a push button switch is depressed also causing illumination of an indicator lamp. The tube is displaceable relative to the housing between extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, the tube may be inserted into the mouth.

Abstract: A catamaran boat is provided including a pair of laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending displacement-type hollow hulls. Generally horizontal connecting deck structure extends between the hulls and includes a large plan area transparent generally horizontal viewing panel supported therefrom in an opening provided in the deck structure. The boat has a loaded operational water line which is spaced below the transparent panel and the hulls include buoyancy varying structure operative to selectively flood the hulls to reduce the buoyancy thereof and raise the water line to a level above the panel and to subsequently pump out the hulls to increase the buoyancy thereof and lower the water line to the aforementioned operational water line.