Abstract: Installers for elongate foam masking tape have an elongate body that has a spine opposite a fore edge, which are separated from one another by opposing exterior surfaces, and has a material that prevents adhesion of an adhesive on each of the opposing exterior surfaces at a position adjacent to the fore edge and extending the length of the elongate body. The installers are used to insert tubular foam masking tape in the gap between body panels of an automobile vehicle, for example, and to adhere the tubular foaming masking tape to the rear surface of the body panels prior to application of paint thereto. Methods of installing tubular foam masking tape between body panels using the installer are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A network for providing sensing and control using cells having distributed intelligence. A link between a first cell and a second cell is established by assigning some cells as repeaters. A first packet is modified with the ID of the cells that rebroadcast the packet as it makes its way in the network from the first cell to the second cell. The second cell returns a packet causing cells in the link to be assigned as repeaters.

Abstract: A cell for use in a network which provides sensing, control and communications. Each cell, as part of its manufacturing process, includes a unique 48-bit identification number. A terminal on the cell enables the broadcast of this unique number onto the network during initialization of the network so that each cell can be identified. The input/output section of each cell communicates with the plurality of processors in the cell allowing one processor to interpret messages received from the network without interrupts of functions performed by other processors.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communicating and controlling where a plurality of cells communicate with one another through packets. When a cell receives a packet, it determines the baud rate of the received packet and stores this rate. In replying to the packet a cell uses a backoff algorithm to determine how many slots it must wait before replying. The duration of these slots is determined based upon the stored baud rate.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communicating and controlling employing a plurality of cells which communicate through packets. First cells are assigned an announcer function, others a listener function with at least one announcer or listener cell also performing the function of repeating at least some of the packets. The cells are organized into groups, each group being assigned a group function. Group identification numbers are included in the packets to allow the cells for a particular group to identify packets intended for it.

Abstract: A network for sensing, controlling and communicating information. The network comprises a plurality of cells including a first cell for sending a packet of information, a second cell for receiving the packet of information and a plurality of repeater cells for repeating the packet prior to its arrival at the second cell. A method is described including the steps of generating a random number and including the random number in the packet; performing a calculation by the repeater cells of fields including the random number to generate a first number; storing the first number; performing a calculation on subsequent packets received by the repeater cells to provide a second number; comparing the second number to the first number; and rebroadcasting the subsequently received packet if the second number is different than the first number.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communicating and controlling where a plurality of cells communicate in the network through packets. A first cell transmits a sequence number and a retransmit flag with the messages. The messages are acknowledged by a second cell if the sequence number is different that the previously received sequence number. If the sequence number is the same, the second cell acknowledges the message only if the retransmit flag indicates the message is being retransmitted by the first cell. The second cell takes action on the message only if the sequence number is different than the previously received sequence number.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communicating and controlling, which uses packets to communicate between a plurality of cells. Cells in a system are given a system identification number (e.g., a 48 bit number). One part of the system identification number (e.g., 32 bits) is transmitted with a packet. The remaining part of this system identification number (e.g., 16 bits) is included in the computation of a cyclic redundancy code (CRC). A receiving cell is able to verify that a packet is intended for it by examining the first part of the system identification number in the packet and by computing and comparing the CRC in the same manner as was done by the transmitting cell.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communicating and controlling having a plurality of cells which communicate with packets. A packet requesting acknowledgements is transmitted to a plurality of destination cells. The transmitting cell listens for acknowledgements from the destination cells. The transmitting cell waits a predetermined period of time to receive the acknowledgements and then infers that a collision has occurred if a reply is not received from any of the destination cells. Different actions are taken by the transmitting cells as a result of the inference of collision as opposed to a case where the cell receives an acknowledgement from at least one destination cell.

Abstract: A cell for a network which provides for sensing of conditions, communicating messages and controlling objects through messages encoded into segments of six bit codes each containing 3 binary ones and 3 binary zeros. The messages begin with one predetermined code which provides bit synchronization followed by a second predetermined code which provides byte synchronization.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communcating and controlling including a plurality of cells. Each cell is identified by a permanent, unique identification number. Groups of cells are programmed to perform group functions and are assigned group identification numbers. Communication is performed via a medium using the cell identification numbers and group identification numbers.