Abstract: A detector for detecting light, such as infrared light, reflected from discontinuous lane dividing lines or other lines on a highway surface from a moving motor vehicle to determine the position of the vehicle on the highway detects light reflected from the surface of the highway and includes circuitry to determine from the reflected light sensed not only the presence of a road line but a characteristic of the road line sensed to determine if the road line detected is consistent with previously detected road lines and therefore appears to be a valid road line. The alarm, when enabled, is activated unless a road line consistent with previously sensed road lines is sensed within successive fixed periods of time in which it is expected that a line should be sensed. By detecting the beginning and end of a signal, various characteristics of the sensed line can be determined, and such things as the type of line likely sensed or the speed of travel of the vehicle can also be determined.

Abstract: A detector for detecting light, such as infrared light, reflected from discontinuous lane dividing lines or other lines on a highway surface from a moving motor vehicle to determine the position of the vehicle on the highway detects light reflected from the surface of the highway and includes circuitry to determine from the reflected light sensed not only the presence of a road line but a characteristic of the road line sensed to determine if the road line detected is consistent with previously detected road lines and therefore appears to be a valid road line. The alarm, when enabled, is activated unless a road line consistent with previously sensed road lines is sensed within successive fixed periods of time in which it is expected that a line should be sensed. By detecting the beginning and end of a signal, various characteristics of the sensed line can be determined, and such things as the type of line likely sensed or the speed of travel of the vehicle can also be determined.

Abstract: A highway lane position detector including a photodetector for determining the existence of highway lines, wherein the detection circuitry maintains its detection ability over a wide range of ambient light conditions from bright sunlight to dim artificial light in ambient darkness, by providing a dynamic resistance element in series with the photodetector wherein the dynamic resistance element compensates for changes in the photodetector due to changes in ambient light conditions to maintain the photodetector in a detection condition (avoiding saturation) regardless of the ambient light condition. In the preferred embodiment of the detector, the dynamic resistance element is at least one reversed biased zener diode. In currently preferred circuitry of the invention, the detector detects the presence of intermittent lane dividing lines and provides an alarm when such lines are no longer detected.

Abstract: A highway lane position detector including a photodetector for determining the existence of highway lines, wherein the detection circuitry maintains its detection ability over a wide range of ambient light conditions from bright sunlight to dim artificial light in ambient darkness, by providing a dynamic resistance element in series with the photodetector wherein the dynamic resistance element compensates for changes in the photodetector due to changes in ambient light conditions to maintain the photodetector in a detection condition (avoiding saturation) regardless of the ambient light condition. In the preferred embodiment of the detector, the dynamic resistance element is at least one reversed biased zener diode. In currently preferred circuitry of the invention, the detector detects the presence of intermittent lane dividing lines and provides an alarm when such lines are no longer detected.

Abstract: A sortation and sequencing system for sorting a plurality of different items into discrete orders and putting the items into a predetermined sequence within each discrete order or group of orders. The system includes an induction station for accepting items in random succession, and a sensor at the induction station for sensing an identifying characteristic unique to each item and for generating tracking signals uniquely corresponding to the items for tracking the items through the system. A controller receives the tracking signals and generates sort command and sequence command signals which are in part responsive to the tracking signals. A sorter receives the items from the induction station and directs individual items to selected ones of a plurality of sort locations, each sort location corresponding to an individual order or group of orders, in response to sort command signals from the controller.

Abstract: An order selection system is disclosed together with a method of operating the system for retrieving multiple types of items stored in preselected storage locations and delivering retrieved items in an orderly sequence to a plurality of packing stations in accordance with the specific requirements of different orders. The order selection system comprises: a dispenser; a conveyor; a dispensing control system; a sorter; a plurality of stacking devices; and identifying means to identify the end of each order.

Abstract: A container opening tool having a wrench end portion with at least one central opening therethrough and with each such opening having teeth spaced around the interior of the opening; a puncture and cut end portion and a handle interconnecting the wrench end and the puncture and cut end portion.