Abstract: An access control system is provided for a movable barrier. A main communication unit grants access to a movable barrier operator. The movable barrier operator controls movement of the movable barrier. A remote communication unit has an input device to receive an access request and to transmit a corresponding access signal to the main communication unit and to transmit a status indication to the main communication unit in response to detecting a predetermined event.

Abstract: An access control system is provided for a movable barrier. A main communication unit grants access to a movable barrier operator. The movable barrier operator controls movement of the movable barrier. A remote communication unit has an input device to receive an access request and to transmit a corresponding access signal to the main communication unit and to transmit a status indication to the main communication unit in response to detecting a predetermined event.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt assembly in a vehicle. The seat belt tensor sensor is secured to the vehicle by a bolt. The sensor includes a housing that is secured by the bolt. An anchor plate is mounted to the housing. The anchor plate has a hole for the bolt and an opening. A strain gage is secured to the housing and extends into the opening. The strain gage has an aperture. A spring is located between the anchor plate and the strain gage. An actuator support is located between the spring and the strain gage to actuate the strain gage. The actuator has a projection extending through the aperture that contacts the anchor plate. The projection prevents a shift in the output of the strain gage when the sensor is subjected to mechanical shock.

Abstract: A graphical music creation user interface is used to create and edit user compositions, which may then be transferred to a server and, through a cell phone carrier network, to cell phones or other portable devices. The compositions may be used as cell phone ring tones. Various graphical features allow for ease of music creation, while providing a possibility for fine-tuning created pieces.

Abstract: A control unit 11 for a movable barrier operator and having a user interface having a display 31 can provide information on that display 31 of all presently blocked remote control transmitters without necessitating the display of any non-blocked transmitter information. In one embodiment the information is displayed one transmitter at a time, either automatically or in response to the user's actions.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly is adapted to be secured to the seat belt assembly of a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing for a seat belt anchor adapted for movement relative to the housing into an overload position where a portion of the anchor is abutted against a portion of the housing to limit and arrest the movement of the anchor relative to the housing and transfer the load from the anchor to the housing and then to an interior structure of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the housing forms a collar and the anchor includes an interior wall defining an aperture through which the collar extends when the anchor is mounted to the housing. Movement of the anchor relative to the housing is limited as a result of the contact between the interior anchor wall and the collar.

Abstract: A control device 11 for use with another device (such as a movable barrier operator 12) has multiple memory interfaces 26 and 27 to permit the contents of one memory to be copied to another memory to thereby create an effective clone of the first memory. This copied memory is easily removable from the control device 11 and thereafter stored separately as a back-up memory or used as the main memory in another control device 11. This effectively avoids a need for more tedious registration of authorized remote control transmitters in systems where the control device 11 interfaces with a movable barrier operator 12. In one embodiment, blocking information as corresponds to any of the otherwise registered transmitters can also be copied to the new memory when effecting this process.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure level of a pressurized medium. The pressure sensor includes a housing that has a high pressure side, a low pressure side and an aperture. A substrate is located in the aperture. The substrate has a pair of ends and a center portion. The center portion is brazed to the housing in the aperture. The center portion seals the high pressure side from the low pressure side. A pressure sensitive resistor is mounted to one end of the substrate. A reference resistor is mounted to another end of the substrate. A circuit line is located on the substrate. The circuit line is connected between the pressure sensitive resistor and the reference resistor.

Abstract: A seat weight sensor for detecting the weight of a seat occupant. The weight sensor has a case mounted between a seat pan and a seat member. One or more strain gauge resistors are mounted in the case. The resistors generate an electrical signal in response to the case being stressed by the weight of the seat occupant. The electrical signal changes as a function of the weight of the occupant. A fastener passes through the seat member, the case, and the seat pan. The fastener secures the sensor between the seat pan and the seat member. The case is adapted to transfer to the strain gage resistor the weight of the occupant up to pre-determined level. The case prevents the strain gage from receiving weight beyond that of the pre-determined level such that the sensor is not damaged by an excessive load. The case also allows the weight sensor to be insensitive to off-axis forces that might otherwise contribute to inaccurate weight readings.

Abstract: A learning mode 40 permits a device 11 to register a plurality of transmitters (as part of authorizing such transmitters to act as remote control devices for use with a movable barrier operator 12) without necessitating intervening user tactile inputs (as through a user interface keypad 33) and without unnecessarily creating a security risk with respect to the duration of the learning mode. In one embodiment, duration of the learning mode is extended in response to detecting indicia that the learning mode continues to be used.

Abstract: A learning mode 40 permits a device 11 to register a plurality of transmitters (as part of authorizing such transmitters to act as remote control devices for use with a movable barrier operator 12) without necessitating intervening user tactile inputs (as through a user interface keypad 33) and without unnecessarily creating a security risk with respect to the duration of the learning mode. In one embodiment, duration of the learning mode is extended in response to detecting indicia that the learning mode continues to be used.

Abstract: A control unit 11 for a movable barrier operator and having a user interface having a display 31 can provide information on that display 31 of all presently blocked remote control transmitters without necessitating the display of any non-blocked transmitter information. In one embodiment the information is displayed one transmitter at a time, either automatically or in response to the user's actions.

Abstract: A control device 11 for use with another device (such as a movable barrier operator 12) has multiple memory interfaces 26 and 27 to permit the contents of one memory to be copied to another memory to thereby create an effective clone of the first memory. This copied memory is easily removable from the control device 11 and thereafter stored separately as a back-up memory or used as the main memory in another control device 11. This effectively avoids a need for more tedious registration of authorized remote control transmitters in systems where the control device 11 interfaces with a movable barrier operator 12. In one embodiment, blocking information as corresponds to any of the otherwise registered transmitters can also be copied to the new memory when effecting this process.

Abstract: A strain gage for measuring an applied force or weight. The strain gage includes a substrate having a tapered center section that is adapted to be stressed in response to the applied force. A strained resistor is mounted on the center section of the substrate. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is adapted to be not stressed by the applied force. An unstrained resistor is mounted on the wing section. A terminal section is mounted to the center section and the wing section.

Abstract: A strain gage for measuring an applied force or weight. The strain gage includes a substrate having a tapered center section that is adapted to be stressed in response to the applied force. A strained resistor is mounted on the center section of the substrate. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is adapted to be not stressed by the applied force. An unstrained resistor is mounted on the wing section. A terminal section is mounted to the center section and the wing section.

Abstract: A seat belt sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor has a substrate with a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of slots therethrough. The seat belt passes through the slots. The substrate has a pair of apertures. An actuator bar is located adjacent the top surface and has a first and second end that pass through the apertures. The seat belt passes over the actuator bar. A load beam is attached to the substrate and has a first and second end. The ends of the actuator bar contact the ends of the load beam. Strain sensitive resistors are located on the load beam. The seat belt, when placed in tension, causes the actuator bar ends to flex the ends of the load beam placing stress on the strain sensitive resistor. The strain sensitive resistor generates an electrical in response to being placed under stress.

Abstract: A linear position sensor for sensing the position of an attached object. The linear position sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a ramp shaped actuator located in the housing. The actuator is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in contact with the actuator. The actuator applies a strain to the strain gage as the actuator is moved. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor for sensing the position of an attached rotating object. The rotary position sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a rotor located in the housing. The rotor is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in the housing adjacent the rotor. The rotor rotates so as to contact the strain gage and apply a strain to the strain gage. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor for sensing the position of an attached rotating object. The rotary position sensor has a housing and a volute shaped rotor having a variable width that varies about the circumference of the rotor. The rotor is positioned within the housing and is attached to the object. The rotor rotates as the object rotates. A strain gage is positioned in the housing. The rotor contacts the strain gage and applies strain thereto such the strain gage deflects according to the variable width of the rotor. The strain gage generates a variable electrical signal that is proportional to the rotational position of the object.