Abstract: An apparatus (32) is preferably part of an occupant protection system (10), and the apparatus determines a characteristic of an object (70) that may be located on a seat (14) of a vehicle (12) for use in control of the system. The object (70) may be a vehicle occupant, and the preferred characteristic that is determined is distance between the object and an instrument panel (22) of the vehicle (12). An emitter array (36) and a detector array (50) are located on the instrument panel (22). Each emitter (40) emits a beam (42) along a different path on which the object (70) may be located. Each detector (52) receives beams (42) emitted from the emitter array (36) that are reflected from the object (70). Each reflected beam received at the detector array (50) is indicative of distance between the instrument panel (22) and the object (70).

Abstract: A lighting system comprising a selectively operable light source, RF receiver for reproducing a received pulsed RF signal. Means for determining whether the reproduced RF signal is within an acceptable range of asymmetric patterns of "on" pulse times followed by "off" times selected to include a plurality of different asymmetric patterns and operating means for the light source for a selected period of time when the determining means determine that the reproduced RF signal is within acceptable range.

Abstract: A door lock assembly comprising a lock plug having a key receiving opening, selectively operable light source for illuminating the key receiving opening, RF receiver for reproducing a received pulsed RF signal and means for determining whether the reproduced RF signal is within an acceptable range of asymmetric patterns of "on" pulse times followed by "off" times selected to include a plurality of different asymmetric patterns and means for operating the light source means for a selected period of time when the determining means determines that the reproduced RF signal is within acceptable range.

Abstract: A CCD comprises a sensing array and a readout register extending adjacent an edge of the sensing array. The readout register has first and second rows of transfer cells. The first row of transfer cells is between the sensing array and the second row. The transfer cells of the first row are of lower capacity than the transfer cells of the second row and are separated from the transfer cells of the second row by a potential barrier.

Abstract: A CCD comprises a sensing array, a readout register extending adjacent an edge of the sensing array, and an output cell at an output end of the readout register. The output cell has first and second sub-cells with the first sub-cell being between the readout register and the second sub-cell. The first sub-cell of the output cell is of lower capacity than the second sub-cell and is separated from the second sub-cell by a potential barrier.

Abstract: A digital voice-data communication system having a base network control unit coupled to a plurality of fixed transceivers for providing communications to a plurality of portable sets. The base network control unit includes control means for permitting communication between the portable sets within the system, or between the portable sets and a larger external telecommunications network. The system employs frequency hopping, time division multiplexing and demand assigned multiple accessing to permit economy of fixed resources via multiple voice channels for each fixed station transceiver and relatively simple portable sets which may be hand held.

Abstract: A system for remote control of electrical components in a building or an electrical appliance provides control of electric power flow in response to spread spectrum radio signals propagated through free space within the building. The spread spectrum signal receiver may be mounted entirely within a junction box of the building wiring or entirely within an appliance housing. The transmitter need not be connected to the building or appliance electrical wiring.

Abstract: A method of communicating digital information as a stream of binary chip values impressed on a transmitted signal during a series of discrete transmitter chip intervals. During a preamble period, the transmitter provides a predetermined transmitter clock signal having a series of different values during a series of crumb intervals, each such crumb interval being a rational fraction of one transmitter chip interval. The receiver generates plural series of receiver chip intervals offset in time from one another. During the preamble period, the receiver subdivides each chip interval of each such series into receiver crumb intervals. The receiver selects one series of receiver chip intervals for which the values of the detected signal best match a template corresponding to the transmitter clock signal. This selected series of receiver chip intervals is the series best synchronized with the transmitter chip intervals.

Abstract: The spread spectrum digital communication system includes data input devices for generating digital information signals to be transmitted using radio signals. A chip stream generator converts the data bits into chip streams that are either complemented or not complemented via an exclusive-OR gate, depending on the data bits. A scrambler further randomizes the chip stream for transmission. The receiver includes a descrambler and a correlator or digital matched filter for detecting the data signal. A modified receiver includes a sampler for sampling the scrambled signal at a rate which is the multiple of the chip rate thereby eliminating any need for recovering the chip clock. Another modified version includes a receiver having means for generating multi-level signals indicating the quality of the probable detection.

Abstract: A remote control system utilizing spread-spectrum techniques. The system is particularly suitable for control of electrical wiring devices in a building and/or appliances.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a timing signal in a Manchester decoder comprises an oscillator 10, a frequency divider 14 for dividing signals derived from the oscillator, and a comparator 18 for comparing the times of transitions in the output signal of the divider with transitions in input Manchester data. To form a digital phase locked loop, gates 12 and 16 are provided for selectively adding a pulse to and subtracting a pulse from the pulses applied to the divider 14 by the oscillator 10 in dependence upon the relative timing determined by the comparator 18, in such manner as to lock the phase of the output signal of the divider onto the phase of the Manchester data. A squelch circuit is also provided for inhibiting phase control by the comparator 18 in response to a drop in signal strength of the received signal containing the Manchester data.