Abstract: An aftermarket hands free unit for mobile wireless telephone use in a vehicle. The hands free unit commands the telephone to enter either an active hands free mode, AHF, or alternatively, a privacy hands free mode, PHF, in response to a user-operated switch on the unit. In one embodiment, these commands are generated by a microprocessor in the unit that sends an ID inquiry to the phone that enables the unit to identify and be used with different model phones. This microprocessor also repeats AHF and PHF commands to the telephone to maintain the desired mode. The hands free speaker in the unit is uniquely clam shelled between the housing and a circuit board, and mode switching is effected by a clever optical switch mounted in a finger recess in the unit housing. Duplexing is fixed by the unit to appropriately marry the capabilities of the phone.

Abstract: A support pole for raising and lowering a supported object between a lower position and an elevated position is disclosed. The support pole includes an elongate pole having a top, a bottom, and a channel extending at least partly between the top and bottom. A threaded rod is rotationally mounted within the channel, and is connected to a detachable coupling for engaging a drive tool to rotationally drive the threaded rod. A carriage engages the threaded rod, such that rotation of the rod imparts translational movement upon the carriage through the channel. The carriage includes a mounting bracket for attachment of the supported object thereto. A cable connecting the supported object and an external device or power source has a detachable coupling, and is carried along a pulley at the top of the elongate pole when the carriage is raised and lowered.

Abstract: The method of charging a portable rechargeable battery produces an electrical signal representing the battery output voltage. Rapid charging of the battery is initiated by supplying a high charging current to the battery when a signal representing the battery output voltage drops below a preselected lower threshold. The battery voltage at this lower threshold is high enough to maintain the operation of a device powered by the battery. The rapid charging of the battery is terminated after the signal representing the battery output voltage rises to a preselected upper threshold. The battery voltage at the upper threshold is substantially below the output voltage of a battery that is charged to 100% of its nominal capacity.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an electronic device to a vehicle electrical system comprises a hollow inner sleeve, a hollow outer sleeve, and first and second conductive contacts. The inner sleeve forms a hollow nozzle located at a distal end of the inner sleeve and opening into the interior of the inner sleeve. The first conductive contact is slidably mounted within the nozzle and is movable between an extended position and a depressed position. In the extended position the first contact protrudes from the nozzle, while in the depressed position the first contact is substantially disposed within the nozzle. The first contact is spring-biased toward the extended position. The second contact is mounted to a sidewall of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is slidably mounted over the inner sleeve and is movable between a forward position and a retracted position. The outer sleeve forms at least one locking finger at a distal end thereof and circumferentially located away from the second contact.

Abstract: A plug insertable into the cigarette lighter receptacle of a motor vehicle has electronic component circuitry therein for shifting the voltage of the electrical energy extracted from the vehicle. A leaf spring connector forming a part of the plug is employed to heat sink a heat generating component of the electrical circuitry in the plug.

Abstract: An amplitude adjusted pulse width discriminator and method therefor wherein a received video pulse is sampled and held when it crosses a threshold. An indication of a valid pulse being present is given if the level of the signal at the input is within a preset range around the level of the held sample pulse at the end of a preset pulse width discrimination interval.

Abstract: A pulse width and amplitude control apparatus wherein an analog Doppler to digital pulse converter provides pulses to the up input of an up/down counter in the presence of a noise input or a Doppler input, and a second analog Doppler to digital pulse converter applies pulses with greater frequency to the down input of the up/down counter when a Doppler signal exceeding a predetermined threshold is present, so that a low or no signal condition increases and a high signal condition decreases the transmit pulse envelope.

Abstract: A broadband peak detector comprising in combination a limiter coupled between an AC signal input means and a dual slope integrator, the integrator having a charging rate equal to twice its discharging rate. A comparator is coupled to the output of said integrator and has a threshold voltage set so that an output signal is produced when the integrator is discharged. The leading edge of said output signal triggers a monostable multivibrator to produce a pulse at quadrature which drives a sample and hold circuit to sample and hold the peak of the input signal.