Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a touch-screen for receiving an input signal from an occupant when the occupant touches the touch-screen, an output device, and a controller. The controller changes a characteristic of an electromagnetic wave in the form of visible light and/or an audible sound, which is transmitted into the passenger compartment via the output device in response to the input signal. The output device includes light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LED) or electro-luminescent (EL) ribbon and a speaker. The controller presents a predetermined set of lighting and/or sound options on the touch-screen which the occupant can touch to generate the input signal, thus selectively illuminating the light sources or playing a particular sound file. The controller can also play a digital sound file whenever a corresponding vehicle condition is detected.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) reader devices are disclosed. An RFID reader device of one aspect may include a radio frequency (RF) output port operable to allow a plurality of RFID antenna modules to be coupled with the RFID reader device. An RF signal generator of the device may be coupled with the RF output port. The RF signal generator may be operable to generate an RF signal and provide the RF signal to the RF output port. A select signal generator of the device may be operable to generate a select signal. The select signal may be operable to be output to select one or more of the plurality of RFID antenna modules.

Abstract: A media portal for a vehicle includes a structure within a vehicle passenger compartment that defines a cavity. The cavity is selectively variable in size in order to retain a portable electronic device. A sensor is configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the cavity. An inductive charger is positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device. At least one user interface device is included through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods are provided for inventorying RFID tags. In some embodiments, a population of RFID tags begins being inventoried using a first set of communication parameters, and then continues using a second set of communication parameters. This way, some RFID tags can be inventoried faster, without missing tags that require a longer time to read.

Abstract: A media portal for a vehicle includes a structure within a vehicle passenger compartment that defines a cavity. The cavity is selectively variable in size in order to retain a portable electronic device. A sensor is configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the cavity. An inductive charger is positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device. At least one user interface device is included through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a touch-screen for receiving an input signal from an occupant when the occupant touches the touch-screen, an output device, and a controller. The controller changes a characteristic of an electromagnetic wave in the form of visible light and/or an audible sound, which is transmitted into the passenger compartment via the output device in response to the input signal. The output device includes light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LED) or electro-luminescent (EL) ribbon and a speaker. The controller presents a predetermined set of lighting and/or sound options on the touch-screen which the occupant can touch to generate the input signal, thus selectively illuminating the light sources or playing a particular sound file. The controller can also play a digital sound file whenever a corresponding vehicle condition is detected.

Abstract: A transmitter shifts a baseband data signal having a bandwidth of 2?M using a tone signal having a frequency ?M, which centers a sideband of the data signal at zero frequency. The transmitter then filters the shifted signal to filter out the non-centered sideband, and then adds the tone signal to form a composite signal. The transmitter upconverts the composite signal during a first operational mode using a RF signal having a frequency ?C equal to a center frequency of a channel. In a second operational mode, the transmitter upconverts a DC level using the same RF signal. The upconverted DC level can be used as a continuous wave carrier signal having a frequency ?C. The transmitter has a single RF oscillator to output both a SSB signal centered at frequency ?C during the first mode and a carrier signal of frequency ?C during the second mode.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a programmed microprocessor and a module plug in removable signal communication with the microprocessor. The module plug includes a program identifier. The microprocessor recognizes the program identifier and accesses a program of a plurality of programs external to the module plug based on the program identifier. The microprocessor responds to the program to perform a function identified by the module plug. The function identifiable by the module plug includes a communications function, a load monitoring function, a non-tripping ground fault alarm function, a flag function, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A transmitter upconverts a SSB data signal during a first operational mode using a RF upconverting signal having a frequency that is offset from a center frequency of a channel (?C) by an amount that depends on the data signal's SSB bandwidth (?M). In a second operational mode, the transmitter upconverts a tone signal having a frequency ?M using the same RF upconverting signal. The upconverted tone signal can be used as a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal having a frequency ?C. The transmitter has a single RF oscillator to output both a SSB signal centered at frequency ?C during the first mode and a carrier signal of frequency ?C during the second mode.

Abstract: A microphone has first and second differentially interconnected capsules angularly and linearly displaced from each other by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a programmed microprocessor and a module plug in removable signal communication with the microprocessor. The module plug includes a program identifier. The microprocessor recognizes the program identifier and accesses a program of a plurality of programs external to the module plug based on the program identifier. The microprocessor responds to the program to perform a function identified by the module plug. The function identifiable by the module plug includes a communications function, a load monitoring function, a non-tripping ground fault alarm function, a flag function, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes: a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in electronic communication with the microprocessor; a module plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the module plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register including an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs the microprocessor to perform steps necessary to operate one or more functions of the module plug.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes: a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in electronic communication with the microprocessor; a module plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the module plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register including an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs the microprocessor to perform steps necessary to operate one or more functions of the module plug.

Abstract: An identification system for identifying correct placement of various circuit breaker accessories within recesses of a circuit breaker molded frame is disclosed. The system includes recess symbols adjacent the recesses in the frame and matching accessory symbols positioned on a front, visible surface of the accessories. The system may further include name labels positioned on the accessories for labeling the accessories'names. A circuit breaker employing the identification system of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination circuit breaker/motor starter includes a circuit breaker trip unit having a microprocessor and at least one removably connectable contactor or other functional module. The functional module is encoded with an identifier, such that the microprocessor can determine the type of functional module and appropriate configuration parameters, such as trip times, for the particular application of the functional module. Power is supplied continuously to the trip unit during motor overload or short circuit conditions.

Abstract: A composition of matter for exterminating fire ants. A dry powder composition of matter which consists essentially of sodium bicarbonate, a powdered acid, an ant attracant, and a deterrent for animals, birds and insects other than fire ants, such as red chili powder or capsaicin, has been found to selectively kill fire ants, once eaten by the ants or taken into a warm, moist ant mound. The composition does not harm humans, cattle, horses, birds, rodents, etc., and also will not harm black, red, or sugar ants.

Abstract: A fixture for mounting small parts, such as fusion target spheres or microelectronic components. A glass stalk is drawn and truncated near its tip. The truncated end of the glass stalk is dipped into silicone rubber forming an extending streamer. After the rubber cures for approximately 24 hours, a small part is touched to the streamer, and will be held securely throughout processing.