Abstract: A conductive polymer device has three or more conductive polymer layers sandwiched between two external electrodes and two or more internal electrodes. The electrodes are staggered to create a first set of electrodes, in contact with a first terminal, alternating with a second set of electrodes in contact with a second terminal.

Abstract: A chip-type thermistor has a pair of electrically conductive planar comb-shaped surface electrodes facing each other on one of principal surfaces of a thermistor block, and an insulating layer covers these surface electrodes. A pair of outer electrodes are formed on end surfaces of the thermistor block, each electrically connected to an associated one of the surface electrodes.

Abstract: A positive thermistor device includes a positive thermistor element having a pair of opposed electrodes, each of which receives compressive force elastically applied from a corresponding one of spring contact members to hold the thermistor element at a predefined position in the device. When the thermistor device is destroyed, the element breaks into fragments, some of which remain in contact with the spring contact members. The remaining fragments deviate in position to ensure that they do not conduct electricity, resulting in an open state, wherein any current flow is inhibited through such fragments. More specifically, a positive thermistor disk is held within the device so that it is interposed between conductive spring contact pieces and insulative position-alignment projections, which are cross-diagonally situated with respect to each other.

Abstract: A focus unit of an FBT (fly back transformer) is disclosed. Particularly a focus volume slider of the focus unit is disclosed. A ceramic substrate 150 is installed within and on the bottom of a cover 130 through which an actuation knob 120 passes. A variable contact 172 of a slider 170 contacts with a resistor pattern 140 of the ceramic substrate 150, so that the voltage volume can be controlled. Since the ceramic substrate is disposed separated from an FBT case which accommodates bobbins for generating a high voltage, the insulation of the focus unit by filling and curing an insulating resin is not required, and therefore, the manufacturing process is simplified.

Abstract: A variable resistor uses a carbon fiber-base resistor with a specific distribution of carbon particle sizes. Because the particle size distribution of carbon fiber is approximately equal to the normal distribution and 80% by volume or more carbon fiber is included in the particle size range from 1 to 20 &mgr;m, high conductivity in the fiber length direction of carbon fiber that is served as structural material for improving the wear resistance does not affect the micro-linearity.

Abstract: A system, method of use, and a plurality of types of Radio Frequency Transponders (RF Tags). The RF Tags carry a directory or a tag type number which determines the layout of information in the tag memory. The tag type numbers are arranged hierarchically.

Abstract: A power transmission network (40) is disclosed which includes an input of telecommunication signals having carrier frequencies greater than 1 MHz onto the network, and a removing similar speech and/or data signals from the network. Preferably a network conditioning element is used which includes a low pass filter portion for filtering out a low frequency high amplitude mains power signal, and a coupling element for input and/or removal of telecommunication signals from the network. In this way both speech and data signals can be transmitted at carrier frequencies of greater than 1 MHz along a standard electricity distribution and/or transmission network which when conditioned provides a larger available spectrum per unit length of network and greater transmission capacity than previously known.

Abstract: A vehicle motion indicator having a base; a shaft rotatably attached to the base; at least one winder having a hub attached to the shaft; a motor for rotating the shaft to rotate the winder; and switch means responsive to the brake system in the vehicle, such that: (1) when the brake system is engaged, the switch means electrically connects the motor to a power supply in the vehicle to rotate the winder, and (2) when the brake system is disengaged the switch means electrically disconnects the motor from the power supply to stop rotation of the winder.

Abstract: A vehicular alarm system is provided including at least one vehicle sensor adapted for generating an activation signal upon the detection of the infiltration of a vehicle. Also included is a control unit positioned within the vehicle. The control unit is connected to the sensor and is adapted for transmitting an alarm signal via free space upon the receipt of the activation signal from sensor. Next provided is a portable remote unit having an indicator mounted thereon for generating an indication upon the actuation thereof. The remote unit serves to actuate the indicator upon the receipt of the alarm signal via free space from the control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle condition detecting apparatus utilizes a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle for providing an image including lines indicative of lane boundaries. The image is processed to determine the distances from the vehicle to each line. The distances are compared with predetermined distances by an image processor. A warning device provides a warning based on variations of observed distances with respect to the predetermined distances to warn the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of a line.

Abstract: A single video camera is installed on a vehicle body. Two still pictures of an obstacle are obtained at different vehicle traveling positions. A picture memory stores the obtained still pictures. A feature point extracting section extracts at least one feature point from the data of the stored still pictures. A three-dimensional coordinate data calculating section calculates the distance from the vehicle body to the feature point and the height of the feature point based on the positional data of the feature point on the screen and the vehicle traveling distance data. A stereoscopic picture forming section forms a stereoscopic picture image of a detected obstacle based on three-dimensional coordinate data of the feature points. A monitor displays a plan view or a side view showing the relationship between the vehicle body and the obstacle, thereby allowing a driver to directly grasp the distance of the obstacle.

Abstract: A real-time maintenance alert system and method for use in a heavy-duty truck having an engine controller with memory are provided. The system includes a sensor operative to indicate an engine condition from the group consisting of: oil filter restriction, air filter restriction, fuel filter restriction, oil level, and coolant reserve tank fluid level. Control logic at the engine controller processes the sensor signal to determine a real-time fault condition, when appropriate.

Abstract: A shift stage display device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle includes a power supply for supplying stable power to a circuit while the vehicle is running; a control device for determining a shift stage according to running states of the vehicle to output a predetermined shift control signal; an interface circuit for controllably turning on and off a solenoid valve according to the control signal output from the control device to thereby output a predetermined signal corresponding to a shifting state of the running vehicle according to a prior established program; and a shift stage display for displaying each position of the shift stage of the running vehicle according to the predetermined signal output from the interface circuit, such that the ground of automated vehicle and the ground of the display device are separated, in order to preclude no influence of surge voltage, and to display at which speed the running shift range is in.

Abstract: A low clearance alarm bumper apparatus (10) includes a bumper (12) that can be suspended adjacent a doorway and below the level of the header for activating an alarm circuit (16) upon being tilted in response to an impact, such as when a forklift carrying a tall load approaches the doorway. Upon impact, the preferred bumper (12) activates a pair of lamps (36, 38) and a speaker (40 to produce an audible alarm to warn the forklift driver that the load is too tall to clear the doorway header.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a remote monitoring system and method. In the monitoring terminal unit 10, a TV camera 11 pictures a monitoring object and a sensor 18 watches for any abnormality in the monitoring object. The monitoring images from the TV camera 11 is encoded in the resolution set in an encoder 12. The encoded image data is continuously written in an image storage 14 in a cyclic way. In addition, real-time images pictured by the TV camera or stored images are transmitted to the monitoring central unit 20 via connection control unit 132 only when an abnormality is detected. The monitoring central unit 20 displays on the monitor 27 the images thus sent in. In that remote monitoring system, the resolution to give to the image encoder 12 is fixed at a constant value in the normal state and is raised to a higher value than normal in case of abnormality. That permits watching the monitoring object in a high resolution.

Abstract: An alarm or monitoring system for a computer network in which network devices are able to be “locked” onto the network, in which condition an alarm is raised if the device is removed. This occurs even when the device is switched off, as the monitoring of the presence of the device is performed by the network. Alternatively, the device may be “unlocked” from the network, in which condition no alarm is raised even if the device is removed. Control of whether a particular network device is subject to the alarm system is therefore in the hands of the user of the device and this is particularly useful for items such as lap-top computers which may quite legitimately be regularly connected to and disconnected from the network.

Abstract: A portable alarm device of minimum dimensions and weight having secure activation and deactivation, and a visible alarm display, is activated by a motion detection switch, which, when displaced from it's original position, causes electrical current from an internal power source to activate a high decibel alarm speaker. The alarm device can be permanently attached to the object to be secured or attached by an easily removeable fastener system so that the alarm can be used on various objects as a security need may arise.

Abstract: An identification and telemetry system including an interrogator (1) containing an interrogator antenna (2) for generating at an interrogation frequency, an interrogtion signal. The interrogation signal is adapted to excite over an electromagnetic coupling path (M1) at least one coded label (3) containing a label antenna (4) and a label microcircuit (5). The coded label is adapted to extract energy from the label antenna and to generate a label reply signal. The label reply signal is adapted to be conveyed to a label reply antenna and, via an electromagnetic coupling path, to a receiver in the interrogator. The label antenna is placed in proximity to a further antenna (6) being a parasitic antenna coupled electromagnetically (M2, M3) with the interrogator antenna and with the label antenna so as to enhance transfer of power between the interrogator and the coded label.

Abstract: A reader (10) capable of efficiently reading tags (12) of differing protocols in a radio frequency identification system. The tag may be either a full-duplex tag or a half-duplex tag. The reader includes a display (16), a power switch (18) and a read switch (20) for enabling operation of the reader by a user. The reader further includes a coil (60); a driver circuit (32) coupled to the coil; and a signal analyzing circuit (82, 84, 90) coupled to the coil. The signal analyzing circuit analyzes tag identification signals sensed by the coil by detecting an initial data sequence of the tag identification signals and selecting from at least two different protocols the correct protocol of the tag identification signal.

Abstract: A sleeping driver detector and alarm system for awaking a sleeping driver. The sleeping driver detector and alarm system includes contacts for measuring skin resistance, a microcontroller for determining a baseline resistance and an alarm that sounds when resistance varies from the baseline. Alternate embodiments provide for the positioning of the contacts integral to the steering wheel of the vehicle or within a glove worn on the hand of a driver. The microcontroller performs a reiterative process to update the baseline resistance and continuously compare the baseline resistance to a current resistance. It is also preferred to include an analog to digital converter for converting analog signals sent from the contacts into a digital signal received by the microcontroller.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a thermal state of a system includes a thermal management integrated circuit (IC). The thermal management IC is coupled to receive a remote temperature signal. The remote temperature signal is indicative of a system temperature. The thermal management IC includes a software programmable temperature threshold setpoint, and a hardware programmable temperature critical threshold setpoint.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improved smoke detector devices. In a preferred embodiment, the invention takes the form of an improved smoke detector of the type having a ceiling-mounted, main housing with an electrical circuit that includes an alarm device and a smoke sensing means that activates the alarm device when smoke is present in the vicinity of the sensing means. Wherein the improvement comprises a remote housing that is remotely disposed from the main housing, with the remote housing having affixed thereto a remote electrical circuit comprising a means for receiving an electrical connection from the main electrical circuit, a means for testing the operating condition of the main electrical circuit, a means for shutting off the alarm device, and a remote battery coupling means that allows a battery for powering the detector to be located in the remote housing.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly incorporating one or more vehicle information displays includes an information display area in a portion of the rearview mirror housing which is at an angle to the plane of the reflective mirror element to provide improved visibility of the display by a front seat passenger. The information display can be provided in either the chin or eyebrow area of the rearview mirror housing, in the end of the mirror housing, or, alternately, in the field of view of the reflective mirror element itself or as a combination thereof.

Abstract: The method of remotely actuating a downhole device provides the initiation of an acoustic signal. The acoustic signal is amplified within a resonance chamber and is transmitted down a fluid column in the tubing string or in the annulus around the tubing string. The signal can be coded to allow activation of multiple downhole devices. The use of a resonance chamber allows for the amplification of the actuation signal to ensure that a downhole receiver can detect it. The receiver can be either a transducer or a hydrophone. The apparatus and method allow for remote actuation without the need for intervention into the well.

Abstract: A communicator for field instruments connected to a transmission line for transmitting electric signals from the field instruments to a host instrument. The communicator operates on electric power fed from an external power supply over the transmission line. The external power supply is arranged in the transmission line. Electric current consumed by the transmission line is set to a constant value.

Abstract: A wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal. The wide area communicates network collects network generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network have a hierarchical communications topology. The central data terminal controls network operation. Intelligence exists at all layers of the network, thereby easing the workload of the central data terminal. The intelligence attributed to each module is a function of the application of that module.

Abstract: An interface device between a computer running a traffic simulation program and any number of traffic signal controllers. The traffic simulation program simulates traffic in a road network including signal-controlled intersections. There are many signal manufacturers and they do not release the details of the control algorithms used in their controllers, hence it is impractical if not impossible to merely insert the control algorithm for a given controller into the program. The interface of the present invention allows any controller from any manufacturer to be used with the simulation program so that traffic flow in any network including signal-controlled intersections can be simulated. An assumed traffic network and demand traffic is input into the program; the program sends detector actuations to the signal controllers via the interface device and the controllers's phase indication states are sent back into the program also via the controller.

Abstract: An ETC car-mounted equipment which can be attached to an existing room mirror in a vehicle and enhances operability for inputting the data impairing neither the communication function nor the visual range for operation. An ETC car-mounted equipment exchanges ETC data relative to an ETC road equipment, and comprises a main body 13 of the car-mounted equipment having a display unit for displaying the ETC data, an IC card insertion port 16 formed in the main body of said car-mounted equipment and in which will be inserted an IC card that stores said ETC data, a mirror unit 14 provided on the front surface of the main body of said car-mounted equipment, an antenna unit 15 provided on the back surface side of the main body of said car-mounted equipment, and resilient holding units 21 for holding the main body of said car-mounted equipment on a room mirror in the vehicle integrally therewith.

Abstract: A method of serialization including establishing a parameter along a length of the train between a node on one of the cars and one end of the train. The presence or absence of the parameter at each node is determined and the parameter is removed. The sequence is repeated for each node on the train. Finally, serialization of the cars is determined as a function of the number of either determined presences or absences of the parameter for each node. The parameter can be established by providing at the individual node, one at a time, an electric load across an electric line running through the length of the train and measuring an electrical property, either current or voltage, at each node. The same process is used to determine the orientation of a car. The operability of each node is determined by counting the presence and then the absence of a parameter along the whole train.

Abstract: A portable data terminal is provided having a main housing including electronic circuitry for receiving data via an operator input. A keypad module is selectively securable into a receiving area of the main housing. A coupling provides an electrical connection between the keypad module and the electronic circuitry within the main housing when the keypad is secured into the receiving area. The coupling maintains an environmental seal between the receiving area and an interior of the main housing in which the electronic circuitry is located.

Abstract: A high speed coding apparatus of digital video data using a parallel processing system, wherein first to third processors are informed of the number of each video segment to be processed and each processor independently starts encoding based on the number of the video segment, namely, sequentially processes the distributed video segment j by blocking to shuffling (VSj-BLK to SFL), motion prediction to quantization (VSj-DCT) to framing (VSj-VLC to FRM) to generate encoded data of a fixed length. A processor finishing the processing with respect to one video segment is given a new video segment to be processed and made to repeat the encoding.

Abstract: A demodulator refers to an internal conversion table and demodulates data that was input. Said conversion table has elements to restrict the continuation of the minimum run and a non-determined code and also has a conversion rule to take the surplus of the number of “1”s inside the elements of the data string and the number of “1”s inside the elements of the converted code word string when divided by two and then match the surplus with either a “0” or a “1”. The demodulated data is input to the DSV eliminator and output by way of the buffer after removal of the DSV bit and thus a codedword string on which DVS control was performed can be efficiently and reliably decoded.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for locating the first most, or least, significant set bit in a bit-string. The present invention breaks down the bit-string into a plurality of shorter sub-strings so that boolean operations can be performed directly to the shorter sub-strings for determining the location of the most/least significant set bit. Furthermore, this method can be repeatedly used to reduce the length of the shorter sub-string after the most/least significant sub-string is located. Particularly, this method of repeatedly dividing the bit-string greatly increases the speed of locating the set bit.

Abstract: The disclosed data compressor compresses an input stream of data characters using LZW data compression. When the occurrence of a run of input data characters is detected, the run is processed by successively looking ahead into the input to determine the contiguous numerically increasing segments that exist in the run and by utilizing codes from the compressor code counter to correspond to the contiguous numerically increasing run segments. Alternatively, the detected run is processed by determining the length of the run and mathematically determining, from the length of the run, the respective codes from the code counter corresponding to the contiguous numerically increasing segments that exist in the run. Specifically an iterative mathematical algorithm or a quadratic equation algorithm are utilized to process the run.

Abstract: A microprocessor 11 receives an ambiguous input from a key 2-9 and disambiguates the ambiguous input using a dictionary. The dictionary is stored in an efficient manner by being partitioned according to the first three letters of a word. A sequence of three letters in the dictionary is stored as eight bits of data, the first three letters of a word being stored using three pairs of bits, such that each pair of bits represents one of no more than four alternative letters.

Abstract: A bit stuffing circuit has a first communication channel delivering data to a barrel shifter, the barrel shifter delivering a first number of bits from the first communication channel to a first output. A second output has a predetermined number of bits for transmission, the predetermined number of bits including the first number of bits from the barrel shifter output, and a second number of other bits from a second communications channel.

Abstract: A digital to synchro converter converts digital values to an analog synchro signal. The values are mapped in a memory and sent to a digital to analog converter converting the digital values to analog values. Sample and hold circuitry is then used to create the analog synchro signal.

Abstract: Techniques for applying a periodic signal to an interpolated digital signal at the input of a delta-sigma modulator to reduce noise tones a DC noise level in the output of a delta-sigma DAC. The duty cycle of the periodic signal can be adjusted to substantially cancel the DC noise level. In one embodiment, the DC noise level is first determined by, e.g., a calibration process. Then, the duty cycle of the periodic signal is adjusted according to the determined DC noise level.

Abstract: There is disclosed, a converter for converting an input signal from one form to another. The converter includes a slicing circuit adapted to slice a signal into levels. The slicing circuit includes at least one threshold for establishing slicing levels. Dither is employed to vary at least one slicing level in the slicing circuit.

Abstract: A delta-sigma modulator includes an integrator which includes an integrating amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal. A pole of a first single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switch is coupled to a first electrode of an input capacitor, while a first throw of the first SPDT switch is coupled to an input signal source, and a second throw is coupled to a source of reference potential (ground). A pole of a second SPDT switch is coupled to a second electrode of the capacitor, while a first throw of the second SPDT switch is coupled to the input terminal of the integrating amplifier. A feedback signal generator has an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the integrating amplifier, and an output terminal directly coupled to a second throw of the second SPDT switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bandpass filter with an input terminal including a sampling circuit for double sampling an input signal from said input terminal, an amplifier, and a conductive connection circuit whose input terminal is coupled to an output of said amplifier, for successively forming three different stages of conductive connection during a time period to form a filtering device with said amplifier. A double sampling bandpass delta-sigma modulator with an input terminal includes two said bandpass filters, a comparator circuit, a multiprocessor, and a feedback circuit which can reduce by half both the required number of amplifiers and the mismatch problems between capacitors and higher frequency operation, and can be easily achieved without additional analog circuits.

Abstract: Various modem designs are described, along with systems that use the modem designs for communicating data between a large number of remote locations and one or more central locations preferably over CATV. One aspect features a modem having a transmitter which uses a state machine and digital waveform signals stored in a memory to create a modulated signal. Another aspect features a modem having a receiver which uses a digital correlator including an SRAM for detecting a bipolar phase shift keyed signal. Still another aspect features a modem comprising an oscillator circuit having a feedback loop, wherein the feedback loop utilizes a downlink signal, and a protection circuit which prevents a malfunction in the modem from causing system-wide shutdown.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a first control signal and a second control signal in response to (i) a digital input signal and (ii) a clock signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate a third control signal by scrambling the first control signal. The third circuit may be configured to generate a pulse width modulated output signal in response to (i) the second control signal and (ii) the third control signal.

Abstract: A line-driver receives as an input a Manchester-encoded digital data signal, which is then converted into an analog signal by a wave-shaping circuit. The wave-shaping circuit comprises a bank of current sources with a combined output, each current source being actuated by a switch controlled by a switching signal. The current sources are each scaled by a coefficient, and are actuated in a selected sequence during each input data pulse, thereby generating as a combined output a staircase pulse signal with n steps for each input data pulse.

Abstract: An A/D converter provides a high conversion accuracy even when an input analog signal is at a low level. The A/D converter (10) comprises a first line including a first A/D conversion unit (ADC1) connected to an input terminal (1) applied with an analog signal, a second line including a first amplifier (AMP1) connected to the input terminal (1) and having an amplification ratio of 2m (m>0), a second A/D conversion unit (ADC2), and a second amplifier (AMP2) having an amplification ratio of 2−m, and a combination of a switch and a level detector (SW, LDET) for connecting an output of the first line or an output of the second line to an output terminal (2) in accordance with an output level of the first line.

Abstract: Structures and methods are provided that linearize and stabilize the gain of adjustable-gain folding amplifiers. Accordingly, these folding amplifiers are suited for use in various compound ADCs where they improve the performance of subsequent folding amplifier stages, increase the number of allowed subsequent stages and replace the functions of other portions of compound ADCs (e.g., subranging ADCs).

Abstract: A circuit converts an analog read channel signal to a digital data signal. A read channel error detector generates an error signal in response to an error in an analog read channel signal. In a set of parallel switches, each parallel switch is connected in series to a pullup resistor and a DC voltage source. A selected parallel switch changes state in response to the error signal so as to provide an adjusted analog read channel signal. A first input of a comparator is coupled to the set of switches, while a second input of the comparator is maintained at a reference voltage. The comparator outputs a digital data signal in response to the adjusted analog read channel signal.

Abstract: A satellite signal GPS receiver which is located at a fixed station on the ground. The receivers are used in differential position measurement systems. In order to eliminate as much as possible the influence of multipaths on the precision of the measured position, it is detected whether the position measurements are coherent with the velocity measurements, The coherence is measured by the variations in the difference Vi−dPRCi/dt, where Vi is the relative velocity measured along the axis of the ith satellite and dPRC/dt is the time variation of the measured position. If the coherence is not sufficient, the position variation should not correspond to the measured velocity. The measurement of this satellite is then considered to be tainted with error and the satellite is eliminated. In the absence of multipaths, the above difference should be seen to vary periodically. This variation may be detected by a Fourier transform on a sufficient number of measurement samples.

Abstract: In a GPS or similar radionavigation signal, a pair of coarse/acquisition signals are located at, near or toward the nulls of the precision/encrypted codes in the L1 band, the L2 band or both. The resulting difference in frequency provides a very wide lane capability. The existing centered coarse/acquisition signal can be retained for legacy purposes. When a receiver receives such signals, it first determines position (speed, time, attitude, etc.) in accordance with the signals having the smallest frequency difference and thus the widest lane and then proceeds to each narrower lane to refine the accuracy of the determination.

Abstract: There is disclosed an object locator system (10) for requesting and obtaining information about the location of an individual animal or moveable object, having a lightweight, attached object locator (42), that is present in a region served by a two-way paging system (12) and a global positioning satellite system (50). The object locator (42) may be selectively activated to conserve power or enabled to respond only when beyond or within a boundary. Further, the object locator system (10) may provide the location information in several forms including rectangular or polar coordinates referred to a base station (18) or origin, position on a map display, etc.