Abstract: The interaction structure with integral coupling and bunching section and method of use of the present invention produces backward wave oscillations in an RF structure which combines ballistic bunching and extended beam-wave interaction in a complex resonator assembly. The complex extended interaction structure includes a five-gap electromagnetically-coupled cavity structure with a coaxial section inserted between the first and second cavities. The first cavity serves as a buncher cavity while the four subsequent cavities serve as energy cavities. In the coaxial section, beam and wave propagate in separate channels. The field in the buncher cavity is coupled to the four subsequent energy extraction cavities through the wave channel between the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial section, while the electron beam drifts along a cylindrical channel cut through the inner conductor of the coaxial section.

Abstract: A YIG oscillator is provided having a YIG enclosure with a top housing and a bottom housing, and a YIG sphere magnetically tuned by a permanent magnet. The YIG sphere has a zero temperature compensation (ZTC) axis and is attached to an end portion of a sphere holder. The sphere holder has a mounting surface which is configured to attach the sphere holder directly to the bottom housing of the YIG enclosure. The YIG sphere is aligned with the sphere holder such that the ZTC axis is at a predetermined angle to the mounting surface. A coupling loop is configured to transceive resonance signals to and from the YIG sphere. In one embodiment, the mounting surface is substantially planar and the predetermined angle is zero.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit having improved long term and short term phase stability. A source follower provides a signal to a bipolar transistor. The bipolar transistor is fed with a current from a current mirror which may be selectively controlled. A piezoelectric crystal and a high resistance element are connected in parallel from the collector of the bipolar transistor to the input of the source follower. The drive voltage to the piezoelectric crystal is controlled by the current mirror to improve long term frequency stability.

Abstract: A matched pair circulator antenna isolation circuit provides isolation between an antenna and one or more receivers and transmitters and may also be applied to other RF devices. A portion of the transmit signal is extracted by a first RF circulator and divided into two phase-inverted signals. The first phase-inverted signal is coupled through a first directional coupler to cancel most of the transmit signal present in the receive signal. The second phase-inverted signal is coupled through a second directional coupler to cancel remaining transmit signal in the output of the first directional coupler. The output of the second directional coupler is coupled to the input of the receiver.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a waveguide coupler (10) has a substantially square cross-section with a width tapering from a first width a at a first end (12) to a smaller width b at a second end (14). Each side of the square waveguide coupler is provided with a turnstile port (16). The first end is coupled to a first waveguide (18) to couple the turnstile ports with the first waveguide, while the second end is coupled to a second waveguide, coupling the first and second waveguides together. Signals throughout the waveguide coupler's lower frequency band can be coupled between the turnstile ports and the first waveguide, while signals throughout the higher end of the frequency band can be coupled from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, and signals within the frequency band can be coupled from the second waveguide to the first waveguide.

Abstract: A SAW duplexer having an impedance transformation network in a form of a series capacitance in at least one filter path.

Abstract: A meander line includes a electrically conductive plate, a plurality of transmission line sections supported with respect to the conductive plate, wherein the plurality of sections includes a first section located relatively closer and parallel to the conductive plate to have a relatively lower characteristic impedance with the conductive plate and a second section located parallel to and at a relatively greater distance from the conductive plate than the first section to have a relatively higher characteristic impedance with the conductive plate, and connector means for interconnecting the first and second sections and maintaining an impedance mismatch therebetween.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave filter includes first and second channels, each channel including at least one input transducer and one input transducer. The transfer functions of the first channel and of the second channel are in phase in the passband of the filter and in antiphase in the rejection band of the filter. The filter enables the use of frequency responses for each channel, with wide bands enabling high reduction of the size of the filter while at the same time reducing the rejection band of the total filter. Such a filter may find particular application to mobile telephony.

Abstract: A dielectric device for high frequency application with a reduced loss of a high frequency component has at least a first dielectric on which a conductor is disposed and a second dielectric laminated on this dielectric and an additional dielectric with a dielectric constant lower than those of the first and second disposed in the vicinity of the side edge of the conductor.

Abstract: A bandpass planar filter (110) comprises a signal input and a signal output (116), and one or more resonator elements (112, 114) coupled serially end-to-end between the input and the output across gaps (118) that separate the elements from the input, the output, and from each other. The resonator elements form a serpentine shape such that at least two portions of the serpentine shape are positioned side-by-side parallel to each other separated by a spacing (120). The side-by-side portions effect additional coupling between the resonator elements that forms a notch (transmission zero) (204) in the passband (200) of the filter. The input, output, and resonator elements are etched into one surface (106) of a PC board (102); the other surface (104) of the PC board forms a ground plane of the filter, and the substrate (103) of the PC board forms a dielectric of the filter.

Abstract: A dielectric resonator device in which resonant electrodes are provided in or on a dielectric block, and another ground electrode is formed on an outer face of the dielectric block. Lengths of the resonant electrodes are determined according to desired resonance frequencies of the respective resonators, while widths of gap regions in the through-holes having no electrodes are determined according to the desired amounts of coupling between the respective resonators. Since the dielectric block may be standardized, various kinds of dielectric resonator devices having different characteristics can be obtained without increasing the required numbers of kinds of molding metal molds.

Abstract: A high performance dielectric ceramic filter in a small package is designed with one or more holes positioned off of the straight-line bisecting at least two holes. This configuration allows for the elimination of at least one trap hole while maintaining a given performance characteristic for the filter. In one specific embodiment of the present invention the performance characteristics of a conventional five-hole ceramic filter is realized in a three-hole filter wherein the holes are positioned so as to form the vertices of a triangle. The width of the resulting filter is approximately 50% of the width of the conventional five-hole filter it can replace. In another embodiment the same triangular positioning may be used to realize the performance characteristics of a four-hole ceramic filter.

Abstract: Plural resonators formed on a dielectric substrate constitute a filter. The resonant frequency of each resonator is adjusted to a target frequency by accumulating dielectric material on the resonator. The degree of such adjustment is substantially proportional to the amount of the dielectric material. The resonators are originally designed to have a resonant frequency that is a little higher than the target frequency. The resonant frequency of each resonator deviates from the designed target because of various factors in manufacturing processes. Each resonant frequency is measured, its deviation from the target is calculated, and the amount of the dielectric material required to eliminate such deviation is determined before the adjustment process. Accordingly, the adjustment is easily performed without measuring the resonant frequency during the adjustment process.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method for interrupting the flow of electric current in a line having a load and a source including a first switch connected in series with the line and a first actuating device coupled to the first switch and adapted to be actuated by at least one activating signal, to move the first switch from the closed position to the open position. A resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity is connected in series with the first switch and a voltage limiting device is connected in parallel with the resistor. A second actuating device is coupled to the first switch and is adapted to be actuated by at least one remote control activating signal, to move the first switch to the open position or to the closed position. The second actuating device further includes a coil and a second switch connected to the coil and to the line, the second switch adapted for activating the coil upon the receipt of the remote control activating signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of proximity switch/sensor based generally on a balanceable magnetic pole array. The magnetic pole array contains at least four poles with optional ferromagnetic shunt(s). The proximity of a shunt to a magnetic pole array determines whether the array is balanced or unbalanced. A balanced array is one with a zone where the vector sum of magnetic fields emanating from the array's poles can be made to approach zero. A sensor such as a reed switch is placed in the balanced zone. When the balance of the array is disturbed by the application of one or multiple shunts, the resulting finite magnetic field vector along with the resulting magnetic flux, activates the sensor. This approach can be implemented in a variety of array structures that offer implementation of a variety of logical functions. Multiple shunts and their proximity to the array are used as the logical function's inputs and the sensor's state as the logical function's output.

Abstract: The invention is to establish means of producing easily and at low cost “a coupled body of superconducting magnets”, comprised of multi-pole bulk superconducting magnets lined up such that the polarities thereof alternately vary so as to cause a magnetic field gradient to occur. The magnetizing method for producing a coupled body comprised of multi-pole bulk superconducting magnets with respective polarities varying comprises the steps of coupling adjacent members for bulk superconducting magnets of a plurality of members for bulk superconducting magnets with each other in such a way as to be freely superposable, foldable, and unfoldable, superposing all the members for the bulk superconducting magnets on top of one after another, and applying a magnetizing process thereto in as superposed state, and unfolding alternately and juxtaposing the respective bulk superconducting magnets as superposed after the magnetizing process as shown in FIG. 1(A) to FIG. 1(D).

Abstract: An electromagnet (1), particularly a proportional magnet for operating a hydraulic valve, said electromagnet (1) comprising at least one coil winding (3) carried by a hollow cylindrical coil spool (2) which is circumferentially surrounded by a hollow cylindrical magnet housing (4) and limited at each end by a pole shoe (5, 6), said electromagnet (1) further comprising an axially moveable cylindrical armature (8) which is arranged in a hollow cylinder of the coil spool (2) that is configured as an armature space (7), the armature (8) being mounted for low friction in rotary, longitudinally moveable axial guides, and electromagnetically produced axial movements of the armature (8) can be transmitted to a hydraulic valve piston via a push rod (10) which is connected to the armature (8) to form an axial extension thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a current transformer for three-phase systems and it used to detect currents, for example with three-phase current meters or electronic devices which trigger low voltage protection breakers. The invention aims at developing a current transformer that can be produced and fixed in a simple and low cost fashion and permitting to measure total current. Therefore, four mutually spaced apart, parallel, identical cylindrical conversion coils (4-7) are provided. In each case, a three-phase current lead (1, 2, 3) runs between two conversion coils (4-5, 5-6, 6-7) arranged adjacent and substantially normal to their longitudinal axes (10). Conversion coils (4-7) are held headwise through two low coercivity yokes (8, 9) extending in their longitudinal axes plane.

Abstract: A resistor has a resistor body of polycrystalline silicon and electric terminals arranged on and/or in the resistor body. A resistor portion is thus formed between the terminals, which gives the resistor its resistance. The material in the resistor body is doped with for example boron. In order to block unsaturated silicon bonds in grain boundaries to a sufficient extent and thereby give the resistor a good long-time stability, fluorine atoms are added to the material. They are added in such a high concentration that all of the otherwise unsaturated bonds are coupled to fluorine atoms. Further, it is provided in the manufacture of the resistor that the concentration is maintained at the originally high value. When ion implanting dopants and fluorine atoms it can be accomplished by performing an annealing after implanting dopants at a high temperature and then a further annealing operation at a low temperature after the subsequent implantation of fluorine.

Abstract: A semiconductor component is fashioned of a chip carrier comprising an approximately planar chip carrier surface on which chip carrier surface a semiconductor chip with a pressure sensor is secured, and composed of electrode terminals penetrating the chip carrier and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, with a surface-mounted arrangement. The chip overlapping the chip carrier.

Abstract: A linear sliding variable resistor comprises a case with a through hole; an operating shaft inserted in the through hole and axially movably locked; an insulated board located in the case and having an electrically conductive pattern on the surface thereof; a sliding contact which slides on the pattern; and a sliding contact retainer which retains the sliding contact and is fixed on the operating shaft. The sliding contact retainer is provided with a pair of snap legs and a retaining portion having a U-sectional recess; and the operating shaft is held by the recess of the retaining portion and the snap legs.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive direction devices are provided which may facilitate assembly and provide higher tolerance for variation in alignment of components while still providing for pressure sensitive direction detection. The devices of the present invention may be particularly advantageous when integrated into devices, such as cellular radiotelephones, to provide a user interface to facilitate user navigation through increasingly complex menu structures. In various embodiments, the present invention may detect pressure in addition to two and, preferably, at least four directions. In particular embodiments, the devices of the present invention provides a switching device having a plurality of trace grid areas located, for example, on a printed circuit board and actuated responsive to pressure applied by a user through a poly-dome layer where increase pressure results in contact with a greater number of the traces in respective grids.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for permitting a user of a selective call receiver (31) to receive a certain number of personal messages and information service updates without paying a fee for such services in return for reading advertisements wirelessly transmitted to the selective call receiver. The user is allowed to read the advertisements at any time prior to receiving the personal messages and information service updates. The certain number is proportional to the number of advertisements read. The certain number can be increased by the user responding to questions within advertisements using reverse channel messaging capabilities of a selective call transceiver (32), or by using a conventional telephone (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a child pager system including a transmitter unit which may transmit one of a plurality of messages to a select one of a plurality of pager units. The transmitter unit has a plurality of channel selection switches each predesignated for a particular pager. The transmitter unit also has a plurality of transmission buttons each in communication with a separate light means on a pager unit whereby each transmission button transmits a signal indicating a different level of urgency to the pager carrier. Each pager unit has a panic means in communication with an internal transmission means that is automatically activated when the pager unit is removed from a carrier's belt. A panic signal is then transmitted to the transmitter unit and a light means on the transmitter unit is illuminated indicating which pager unit sent the signal.

Abstract: A voice paging system includes a computer for receiving an electronically transmitted text message and controlling the voice paging system, a text-to-voice converter for converting the text message to a voiced message, a transmitter for transmitting the voiced message in a wireless manner, and a voice pager unit for receiving the transmitted voiced message and broadcasting the voiced message.

Abstract: In order to provide a radio selective calling receiver that can display a message in language at the current location without making a user recognize the current location, character fonts are automatically switched on the basis of the area information contained in a reception signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a selective call communication system is used for transmitting a message of a message type selected from non-maildrop and maildrop (504), wherein the message of maildrop type includes one of a plurality of categories of information. The controller (112) of the system is used for identifying the one of the plurality of categories of information to a user. The controller (112) transmits the message with an identifier (412, 414) for identifying one of a plurality of icons corresponding to the one of the plurality of categories of information. A selective call receiver (122) receives and decodes the message and the identifier (412, 414). The display (324) of the selective call receiver (122) is used for displaying the one of the plurality of icons, in response to receiving the identifier (412, 414).

Abstract: A system and method to store a sequence of data records relating to attributes of interactions between fuel dispensers and tags. The data records may be stored on the tag or at a location remote from the tag, such as a fuel dispenser, central site controller or other network. The data records may contain the identity of the dispenser, tag and any attribute of a received signal, such as frequency band or signal strength, or other attribute indicative of proximity. Every dispenser that attempts to communicate with a tag in question adds its own interaction data to a limited history of a tag's past interactions with the same and other dispensers. When a dispenser or central site control system examines the contents of the interaction histories, the detected presence of other dispensers or the relative strength of the recorded interaction attributes will determine what, if any, action is to be taken by the dispensers or central site control system to communicate with the tag at issue.

Abstract: A power line adaptive noise cancellation system receives noise signals from house power lines and adaptively cancels the received noise from a power line input signal. The system includes a power line input signal receiver, at least one power line noise signal receiver and an adaptive noise cancellation device. The input signal and the noise signals are bandpassed filtered and demodulated by a local oscillator to generate baseband signals for both the input signal as well as the noise signals. The noise signals are input into adaptive filters that filter the noise signal based on a set of adaptive weights. The output of the adaptive filters are subtracted from a delayed baseband input signal to generate a received input signal. The received input signal is also fed back to the adaptive filters for updating adaptive weights of the adaptive filters.

Abstract: A sensor which is installed in a vehicle, for sensing an object or a person, is operated for adjustment purposes in a test mode. The installation position of the sensor or of the device in the vehicle is changed with an adjustment device as a function of the evaluation of the test data which are determined. Alternatively, or in addition, a message can be issued as a function of the result of the evaluation. The invention ensures that the device is installed at a precise location in the vehicle and the position of vehicle occupants is thus determined precisely.

Abstract: A method of and device for assisting in identifying and recovering a stolen vehicle is disclosed. In the method, an activation signal is sent and received at a stolen vehicle. An alerting signal is sent from the stolen vehicle in response to receiving the activation signal. The alerting signal is received, and an identification signal is sent in response to receiving the alerting signal. The identification signal is received at the stolen vehicle, and an identification device on the vehicle is activated in response to receiving the identification signal. In a method according to the present invention, a control signal is also sent to and received by the stolen vehicle. A control system of the stolen vehicle is operated via the control signal to bring the stolen vehicle to a safe stop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor-fault detection circuit for use with either an inductive or capacitive-type sensor. The sensor-fault detection circuit conducts a test signal into the sensor circuit for testing such sensor circuit. A time difference measuring device is provided to analyze for correct duration of the transit time of a test signal or test pulse, respectively, passing through the sensor. In the event that the transit time does not fall within a predetermined range tolerance, a fault indication can be activated. The circuit can be used, for example, to test an inductive bar-type sensor to determine the speed of a wheel on a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting compromised vehicle wheel and tire operating characteristics includes detection for out of round new tires, under pressure tires, poor front wheel alignment and off center line loads. The instantaneous rotational velocity signal generated for each wheel by an existing antilock braking system (ABS) provides data for the basic comparison of wheel speed is against an instantaneous indication of vehicle speed. Once calibrated, the system provides operational monitoring of the wheels includes initializing the trip odometer, collecting wheel speeds, and sampling vehicle speed. Tire radius and tolerance data as a function of estimated wear and tire temperature. Tire temperature is in turn a function of ambient temperature and trip distance. The rotational velocities for the wheels are estimated as functions of vehicle speed and the updated tire radius data.

Abstract: In an autonomous emergency monitoring system, wherein the user need not carry any signaling devices whatsoever, an emergency situation can be reported to an external receiver by voice input via microphones via a communication interface. Further, a monitoring of the person can ensue via sensor systems that can likewise setup an external connection via the communication interface.

Abstract: A building alarm system includes addressable notification appliances connected to a system controller, with each notification appliance having a status indicator and an alarm indicator. The status indicator, such as an LED, provides for system test modes that avoid disruption of building occupants. To test the alarm system, the system controller selects which notification appliances to operate in response to a test alarm input and communicates to each selected appliance an instruction to operate its associated status indicator without operating its associated audible or flashing visible alarm indicators. In a troubleshooting mode, the system controller polls each of the notification appliances and receives an answer in response to the poll from any of the appliances. The controller operates the LED indicators of those appliances which answer the poll.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and recognizing merchandise items taken into a fitting room by a customer for providing more efficient customer assistance. Each merchandise item is attached to a wireless tag including a product identifier. A fitting room is equipped with an antenna/receiver unit which interruates the wireless tag of an item taken into the fitting room to be tried-on. A store server retrieves information about the item based on the product identifier, and presents such information to a store clerk through an in-store terminal. In addition, the server develops recommendation of other products that the customer might be interested based upon the items taken into the fitting room. The server includes an analysis and recommendation engine that analyses the style, color, and brand of each of the items in the fitting room, and develops recommendations accordingly. The server presents the recommendations to a store clerk via the in-store terminal.

Abstract: The magnetic marker strip is formed of a signal strip made from ferromagnetic material with a low coercive force onto which there is applied ferromagnetic material whose coercive force is distinctly higher than that of the material of the signal strip. The signal strip is relatively long as compared with its width, and emits harmonic-containing signals in a first, unmagnetized state as a consequence of the magnetic field in the interrogation region and emits no harmonic-containing signal in a second state in this magnetic field. The ferromagnetic material with the larger coercive force is arranged in the form of a plurality of control elements at a spacing from one another on the signal strip, the width of the control elements being essentially equal to the width of the signal strip, and the control elements switching the signal strip into the first state when they are in a first, unmagnetized state, and switching the signal strip into the second state when they are in a second, magnetized state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resonant tag including an insulating thin film and coiled circuits made of a metal foil respectively formed on both sides of the insulating thin film. The coiled circuits are formed in an electrically connected relation to each other with a space at the center of the insulating thin film. Said both coils are almost superimposed on each other to form a capacitor, thereby constituting an LC circuit. The area of a portion of each side of the thin film, said portion being surrounded by the innermost peripheries of both coils and having no metal foil on both sides, is controlled to at least 16% based on the whole area of said one side of the tag, whereby a resonant tag having an area of at most 700 mm2 can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention encompasses an electrical apparatus. Such apparatus comprises a first substrate having first circuitry supported thereby. The first circuitry defines at least a portion of a radio frequency identification device. At least one first electrical node is supported by the substrate and in electrical connection with the first circuitry. The apparatus further comprises an input device comprising a second substrate and second circuitry on the second substrate. The second circuitry is in electrical communication with at least one second electrical node. Neither of the first nor second electrical nodes is a lead, and the second electrical node is adhered to the first electrical node to electrically connect the input device with the radio frequency identification device. The invention also encompasses a termite-sensing apparatus. Additionally, the invention encompasses methods of forming electrical apparatuses, and methods for sensing termites.

Abstract: A vehicle driver or machine operator sleepiness monitor, configured as a self-contained module, for steering wheel or dashboard mounting, provides for individual driver/operator interrogation and response, combined with various objective sensory inputs on vehicle condition and driver control action, and translates these inputs into weighing factors to adjust a biological activity circadian rhythm reference model, in turn to provide an audio-visual sleepiness warning indication.

Abstract: A system includes a divider network, a memory and a circuit. The divider network is adapted to be coupled to fuel cells of a fuel cell stack and provide pairs of signals. Each pair of signals is associated with a different fuel cell and indicates a terminal voltage of the associated cell and another voltage common to the pair of signals. The memory stores indications of different common mode gains, and each common mode gain indication is associated with a different one of the pairs of signals. The circuit is coupled to the memory and adapted to generate an indication of the terminal voltage from each pair based on the associated common mode gain indication.

Abstract: A modification to existing mono-block battery design for positively indicating the operating condition of the battery by adding a failure detector. The voltage of two groups of internal series connected cells are measured and compared. An indicator of one color indicates the battery is operating normally and an indicator of a contrasting color indicates the battery is defective. The indicator may be located remotely from the failure detector. An additional embodiment provides for an optical indicator located remotely from the failure detector such that luminous energy is transferred from the failure detector to the remote indicator by an optical-conductor.

Abstract: A system for displaying dynamic on-line operating conditions of an interconnected power transmission network including components to monitor the interconnected power transmission network by measuring and correlating voltage magnitude and phase existing at selected station busses of the interconnected power transmission network and to display isovoltage and isophase contour lines on a map representative of the interconnected power transmission network geographic area thereby showing existing operating conditions of the interconnected power transmission network wherein the location and nature of any disturbances occurring on the interconnected power transmission network is indicated on the map by a change in the positions of the isovoltage and isophase contour lines relative to the normal network operating isovoltage and isophase contour lines such that upon detection of an abnormal operating condition a system operator may initiate action within the interconnected power transmission network to correct for the

Abstract: Travel trailer and motor home users must periodically use various facilities for filling motor fuel tanks and water storage tanks of their vehicles, as well as dumping their waste water and sewerage receptacles. Typically the fill or discharge receptacles for these different tanks are located at different locations along the length of the vehicle, making it difficult to align the vehicle with the different service facilities. The present invention comprises a device whereby a driver can accurately line up fill and discharge receptacles with the corresponding service at a service station or dump station without the aid of a second person or the need for leaving the vehicle.

Abstract: An escape light instrument using as its light source a fluorescent lamp, mainly derives its luminescence from luminophors the peak ranges of whose luminescent wavelength are from 530 to 580 nm and from 600 to 650 nm, said luminophors having 30 nm or less of half band width, wherein a luminous flux derived from a luminophor the peak range of whose luminescent wavelength is from 420 to 470 nm accounts for 4 to 10% of a total luminous flux in said main luminescent wavelength, and which permits categorical discrimination of at least green and white transmitted colors used on the sign face, and has a luminous color of 5 or more in Duv.

Abstract: A downhole buried utility sensing and data transmission system for connection at the lower end of a drill string has sensors capable of detecting the existence of various different types of buried utilities and objects and making calculations as to the radial separation distance between the detected utilities and the drill head and transmitting data between the down hole drill head to the surface. The sensors respond to material properties used to construct the utility lines or the energy fields created by the operation of these lines (pipes and cables) or from the energy associated with transmission of the particular utility service, including sound energy resulting from fluid flow and electromagnetic energy from electric currents.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric meter, on which a module can be mounted. The module cooperates with a basic counting mechanism in the electric meter through a bidirectional optical transmission device. A bidirectional optical transmission path can be varied to detect the type of module that is mounted. An electric meter is provided with optical module detection.

Abstract: Control logics for the traffic-dependent controlling of traffic signal installations (1) are described with flow diagrams that become increasingly difficult to understand as phase sequences become more complex, and can only with difficulty be converted, in automated fashion, into traffic-oriented descriptions for signal programs. In a database data file (15), conditional equations (B1, B2, B3) that compare traffic-oriented characteristic quantities with predetermined threshold values are stored together with actions (A1, A2, A3, A4) for exchanging signal programs and together with rules (R1, R2, R3, R4). The rules (R1, R2, R3, R4) have control values and action directions (X). The control values are compared with truth values of the conditional equations, and, given complete agreement between the control values of a particular rule and the truth values, the action (A1, A2, A3, A4) to which the action indication (X) of the particular rule (R1, R2, R3, R4) refers is executed.

Abstract: The processional travel control apparatus of the present invention allows processional travel with a leading vehicle driven by a driver and at least one succeeding vehicle automatically following the leading vehicle. Each of the vehicles comprises: a communicator for communicating with other vehicles; a condition detector for detecting the condition of an object vehicle; an abnormality determining device for determining the occurrence of an abnormality in the object vehicle, based on condition information detected by the condition detector; an abnormality signal transmitter for transmitting an abnormality signal, indicating that the abnormality has occurred in the object vehicle, via the communicator; and an abnormality stop device for stopping the processional travel of at least a part of the vehicles, which includes the vehicle which has transmitted the abnormality signal, when the abnormality signal has been transmitted by one of the vehicles.

Abstract: A system for communicating between an aircraft and a ground control station. The system includes a communications module disposed onboard the aircraft and capable of electronically communicating with the ground control station. The communications module includes an input interface that permits an operator onboard the aircraft to view messages that are sent and received from the ground control station. The input interface has a plurality of display configurations for the viewing and entry of information. The input interface permits data relevant to a flight of the aircraft to be entered by the operator while viewing at least one of the plurality of display configurations.