Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for monitoring enablement of an electrical apparatus connected to a power grid. The method consists in: transmitting (A) from a specialised transmitter (ES) to the electrical apparatus (EA) a coded information message comprising an enablement information, in accordance with an enablement control code; and in receiving (B) by means of a receiver (R) equipping the electrical apparatus (EA) said information message. The latter is decoded (C) in accordance with specific enablement data integrated in the receiver (R) to generate decoded enablement data. The enablement of the electrical apparatus (EA) is granted (D, E) if the decoded data are in conformity with the integrated specific enablement data and enablement is refused (D, F) otherwise. The invention is useful for protecting electrical appliances against theft, for managing service delivery on a distant site, monitoring contractual terms.

Abstract: A combination lock and light includes a base having a locking aperture adjacent a top end. A locking ring is pivotally affixed at a first end adjacent the base top end, a second end insertable within the locking aperture, which houses a locking mechanism. Buttons within the base's front face communicate with a mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism when a preset correct sequence of buttons is depressed. Housed adjacent a bottom end of the base is an illumination source, and a switch is provided for activating the illumination source. Atop the base a cover is movable between a shielding and an interaction position relative to the buttons. The cover preferably comprises a decorative element. A stimulus-producing element housed within the base is adapted to produce a “positive” and a “negative” pair of stimuli, correlated with and engendered by a respective correct or incorrect entry of a button sequence.

Abstract: An access control system comprises a plurality of access control devices in each of which is stored an access code. Specific access codes and access rights for a plurality of access control devices are transmitted from an access control central unit over a mobile radio network to the mobile communication terminal of a user. Transmitted to the mobile communication terminal by an access control device to be passed is an access control device identification. In the mobile communication terminal, on the basis of the received identification, the access code and the access rights for the access control device to be passed are determined, and are transmitted to the access control device. The access control device clears the user for access if the received access rights suffice and the received access code agrees with the stored access code.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring usage of equipment comprises an electronic key for controlling operation of the equipment and a central storage location for a plurality of keys. Access to the keys is controlled so that only authorised personnel can obtain a key and may be directed to select a particular key. In any event, the key is associated with a particular authorised person. At the equipment, the key is inserted and data contained in the key is read and the equipment enabled under microprocessor control. Data relating to the activity of the equipment can be written to circuitry in the key for transfer back to the central storage location when a the key is returned.

Abstract: In order to order some goods or service, the user approaches the terminal unit (1) of the service provider. To order the service, the user calls (3) the service providers terminal unit (1) with the mobile communication apparatus (2) to order a service. The terminal unit (1) registers the identification code and transmits (4) information and conditions related to the service to the user's mobile communication apparatus (2), where this information is shown on a display (14). For accept of the service and the service conditions, the user indicates the acceptance of the service conditions which is transmitted (5) to the terminal unit, after which the connection between the mobile communication unit and the terminal unit is terminated. The terminal unit transmits (6), for example via a telephone line, the received data to the host computer (7) where the data are controlled in connection with the service. The control may include a check, whether the user has credit enough for payment of the order.

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: The invention provides a system and method for interrogating one or more electronic labels attached to objects, the system including an interrogation device capable of radiating an electromagnetic interrogation signal which contains information in the form of a plurality,of symbols, each symbol being represented by a respective time interval between consecutive dips in amplitude of the interrogation signal. The one or more of the electronic labels are capable of detecting and decoding the interrogation signal to recover the symbols, and in response to recovering the symbols generate a reply signal. The reply signal is able to be detected and decoded by the interrogation device. It is envisaged that the invention will find particular use in identifying, sorting, controlling and/or auditing objects having information bearing electronically coded labels.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transponder including: a parallel oscillating circuit adapted to extracting a supply signal from a radiated field; in parallel with the oscillating circuit, several branches each including a programmable resistor and a switch; and a cyclic control element for successively turning on the switches, each resistor forming an element for storing a portion of the code stored in the transponder.

Abstract: A signal device is attachable to a medication container to provide periodic signals of times for a user to take medication. The device has its electronic circuitry enclosed in a casing compressible by the user to activate the circuitry.

Abstract: In a moving object tracking system, on-board equipment and equipment disposed in a management center are connected to each other by way of a communication network. The equipment disposed in the management center receives current position information about the current position of a moving object from the on-board equipment and keeps track of the moving object. The on-board equipment has a plurality of communication units for communicating with the equipment disposed in the management center in different manners, and a communication switching unit for selecting an optimum communication unit from among the plurality of communication units based on the current position information when detecting a theft of the moving object.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile asset security system that enables remote tracking and monitoring of the asset. The security system is equipped with a control and intelligence unit, a position determining device and a number of intrusion detection devices. The control and intelligence unit processes information from the position determining device with the help of an in-built virtual mapping system to obtain geographic information of the vehicle in the form of name of place, street, coordinates, etc. The control unit may be remotely configured and controlled through a built in voice recognition and DTMF tone detector. The geographic information and information regarding any violation of intrusion detection devices is converted to synthesized speech using a text to speech system. The text to speech system converts the speech to a language desired by the user. The synthesized speech is transmitted to the user's communication device over an existing communication network.

Abstract: An automatic warning signal system for a leading vehicle (e.g., an automobile, car, truck, tanker, van, bus, motor home, motorcycle, or other vehicles, etc., as well as trailers of all kinds in-tow, etc.) including a detector for detecting when a following vehicle comes within a target area too close to the rear of the leading vehicle, and a circuit for coupling a signal device and an energy source to cause the signal device to produce a warning signal to caution the driver of the following vehicle when the detector detects the following vehicle within the target area too close to the rear of the leading vehicle, causing the driver of the following vehicle to slow down and thus increase the distance between the two vehicles and prevent rear end collision in case of an emergency.

Abstract: A device for fixing to a wheel a module intended to measure and transmit to a receiver, in particular by radio link, at least one quantity characteristic of the state of a tire mounted on the wheel, in particular its inflation pressure, comprising connecting means rigidly connected to the module and means of attaching the connecting means to the wheel, such that the module is fixed radially internally relative to a seat and a hook on the rim of the wheel, and such that the attachment means are fitted to apply the connecting means against the radially inner surface of the rim hook with an adaptable clamping stress of intensity greater than a given value.

Abstract: A vehicular component includes a body part and an electroluminescent signaling device. The signaling device includes a flexible electroluminescent light source strand mounted on the body part, and is adapted to be connected to and controlled by a light controller of a vehicle so as to enable the light source strand to radiate a light output for signaling purposes.

Abstract: A fail-safe electrical control system in the form of a sensor loop (24) is provided. The sensor loop (24) includes any number of sensor units (22) coupled in series. Each sensor unit (22) includes a local power source (26), a local sensor (14), and a local indicator controller (30). The local power source (26), local sensor (14), and local indicator controller (30) are coupled in series within the sensor unit (22) and the sensor loop (24) to form a closed circuit (40) that does not require a central controller or the performance of loop configuration activities. The local power sources (26) distributed throughout the sensor loop (24) within the sensor units (22) are all isolated from the earth. In one preferred embodiment, the sensor loop (24) controls the movement of solar collectors (12) into wind stow positions when high wind (16) conditions occur.

Abstract: A system for locating a person including a mobile transmitter removably secured to the person and a portable monitoring unit carried by a user monitoring the location of the person. The mobile transmitter receives GPS ranging signals from GPS satellites. Each of the GPS ranging signals includes an offset proportional to the distance of the mobile transmitter from the respective GPS satellite broadcasting the GPS ranging signal. The GPS ranging signals, including the respective offsets, are transmitted to the portable monitoring unit. The portable monitoring unit comprises a GPS circuit which determines the location of the mobile transmitter based on the GPS ranging signals received by the mobile transmitter, and superimposes the location of the mobile transmitter on a map displayed on the portable monitoring unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle security system that provides remote tracking and monitoring of the vehicle. The security system is equipped with a control and intelligence unit, a position determining device and a plurality of intrusion detection devices. The control and intelligence unit processes information from the position determining device with the help of a in-built mapping device to obtain geographic information of the vehicle in the form of name of place, street etc. The geographic information and the information regarding any violation of intrusion detection devices may be converted to synthesized speech using a text to speech system. The text to speech system converts the speech to a language desired by the user. The synthesized speech is transmitted to the user's communication device over an existing communication network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the safety in a work zone surrounding operating equipment including identifying workers within said work zone and warning unauthorized workers within said work zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employing an array of spaced detectors and a detection circuit to detect disturbance of first and second conductors and provide signals to a computer system to determine both the presence of the intruder and the direction of travel of the intruder. The velocity of the intruder's travel may also be determined. When used with a destruction device to destroy an intruder such as an explosive shell, the lob time and the killing distance may also be calculated and used to fire the shell and to explode it at a position to destroy the intruder. Often the intruder is an armored vehicle or a tank. The conductors may be spaced in an array that has the appearance of a spider web. The conductors may be light weight conductive elastomeric conductors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a camera and methods associated therewith for notifying a user upon separation of the camera from a parent object.

Abstract: A system designed to detect and identify fixed utility objects, such as telephone pedestals, power transformers, man-holes, anchor cables, and the like, that are hidden by heavy overgrowth of vegetation. The system provides for automatic look-ahead detection of such objects during mowing and clearing operations with heavy machinery using passive radio frequency transponder technology to both detect the immediate presence of a tagged object as well as basic identification of the type of object replying to the interrogation. The operator can be signaled audibly and/or visually when a tagged object is detected. The transmitter and antennae are mounted in the cab of a mobile machine for protection from physical damage. An integrated microprocessor performs the requisite algorithms needed to process the reply form one or more RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags and generate the alert signals for the operator alerts.

Abstract: A desiccant bag for adsorbing moisture from a surrounding space in a packaged product includes on its inner surface an electronic article surveillance or EAS tag which enables detection of stolen products by theft or shoplifter detectors. The EAS tag is not visible from the outside of the bag or product package, and is thus unlikely to be detected and removed by a thief. The bag may also be printed with an invisible message or taggant containing information such as source or intended destination.

Abstract: A wireless network is described including a cluster network and a sensor/actuator network arranged in a hierarchical manner with the cluster head network. The cluster head network includes at least one cluster head and the sensor/actuator network includes a plurality of sensor/actuator nodes arranged in a plurality of node levels.

Abstract: This invention consists of a system of components with electronic sensors that sense the presence of sharks within their vicinity and relays a warning to the various components within the system. The main components are the buoys and personal warning reception devices. The buoy system utilizes sonar and other technologies to detect objects in the water; this data is fed to a microprocessor that distinguishes sharks from other marine life based on size, shape, and other distinguishing characteristics.

Abstract: A body-mounted electronic device system enabling the user to grasp the conditions of other runners. A master unit and a child unit are mounted on a runner, and a child unit is mounted on another runner. Counting units of the child units count the numbers of steps of the runners at predetermined time intervals, and transmit the data together with their own identification data to the master unit. When the received identification data are in agreement with the identification data stored in an ID setting/storage unit, the reception comparator unit calculates the moving distances of the runners based upon the received step number data, and an among-the-child-units-distance calculation unit calculates the distances among the child units. The distances among the child units that become smaller than a reference distance stored in a preset distance storage unit are notified through a buzzer and a display unit.

Abstract: This invention describes a non-intrusive system used to determine if the driver of a vehicle is drowsy and at risk of falling asleep at the wheel due to drowsiness. The system consists of two different drowsiness detection systems and a control unit. This redundancy reduces the risk of a false drowsiness assessment. The first subsystem consists of an array of sensors, mounted in the vehicle headliner and seat, which detects head movements that are indicative characteristics of a drowsy driver. The second subsystem consists of heart rate monitoring sensors placed in the steering wheel. The control unit is used to analyze the sensory data and determine the driver's drowsiness state and therefore corresponding risk of falling asleep while driving. Through sensory fusion, intelligent software algorithms, and the data provided by the sensors, the system monitors driver characteristics that may indicate a drowsy driver.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided that comprises a shock detector for detecting a shock received by an electronic apparatus such as a portable telephone, a controller for comparing the value of the shock as detected by the shock detector with a reference value, and a memory element for storing an identifying signal generated when the value of a shock has exceeded the reference value and the value of shock, thereby enabling easy determination as to whether or not a breakdown has been caused by the shock.

Abstract: A safety/warning device having a body adapted to releasably receive therein at least one source of electrical energy, the body having an open upper end in which is received a grommet, the grommet having first engaging means for engaging with second engaging means of the body to ensure correct location of the grommet relative to the body; the grommet having internal engagement means for receiving therein a light source to ensure the light source is accurately located relative to a lens which sealingly engages over and closes the open upper end; wherein the light source is at least one light emitting diode mounted on a circuit board.

Abstract: A guide device for helping and guiding blind persons includes an image taking device for taking image signals, a treating device for receiving the image signals and for treating the image signals and an actuating device for engaging onto the blind persons, and for receiving signals from the treating device, and for being actuated to act onto the blind persons. The guide device may thus be attached onto the blind persons and may act onto the blind persons for helping and guiding most of the blind persons to go out without the help from the specially trained dogs.

Abstract: An improved railroad communication system configurable to comply with newly proposed FRA regulations and further configurable to addresses the concern of communications conflicts is provided. The railroad communication system includes a first radio communication system operating in a first frequency band of about 450 MHz band for communication with a locomotive. The system further includes a second radio communication system operating in a second frequency band selected to be different from the first frequency so as to avoid interference with the first radio communication system for communication with the locomotive. A processor on the locomotive enables the locomotive to selectively respond to the designated control signals so that operation of the locomotive will respond only to the appropriate control signals.

Abstract: An optical submarine communication system has a land cable connected to a terminal apparatus which is installed on land near the seashore for transmitting an optical signal and electric power. The land cable is connected to an optical submarine cable through a beach manhole, and a repeater is connected to the optical submarine cable. The optical submarine communication system has a surge suppressor provided on the land cable, whereby a surge generated from the terminal apparatus side because of a lightning stroke or an insulation failure is suppressed from reaching and damaging the repeater.

Abstract: A method and system for telemetry through a compressible drilling fluid during underbalanced drilling is disclosed. A reflector (110) is positioned downstream from the gas inlet (84) and causes reflected pressure waves having the same pressure polarity as incident pressure waves. A pressure sensor (92) is positioned below the reflector to sense pressure in the compressible drilling fluid. The reflector (110) can be a fixed orifice plate or an adjustable aperture. A borehole communication system is also disclosed wherein a pair of pressure sensors are positioned on either side of a flow restriction (118) located in the gas conduit leading to the gas injector. The flow restriction can be a valve used to regulate the flow rate of the gas being supplied into the drilling fluid, or it can be separate venturi or orifice plate.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a well. In a described embodiment, the method uses annulus pressure to communicate between a downhole system and a remote location. The method may use intermittent electrical power generated by changes in annulus pressure to power the downhole system. Various sensors and well tools may be monitored and actuated by the downhole system, and acquired data may be transmitted to the remote location.

Abstract: A locator device having a transponder subcutaneously implanted in a person or animal that is to be periodically monitored in the event of emergency, abduction and other such situations. The transponder has a battery that is rechargeable by using the potential electrical energy generated by the body of the host organism. The preferred embodiment of the rechargeable transponder uses a piezoelectric battery that is to be implanted in an appropriate manner that would permit a large muscle to act upon a piezoelectric element thereby converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy to provide a recharge to the battery.

Abstract: An illuminated road safety sign for communicating a message or warning, and including two light transmitting plates, each plate displays a message. The plates are spaced by a surrounding, reflective sidewall. A sidewall mounting connector made of a moldable rubber, plastic, or other material sits on a flashlight. The elasticity of the connector allows it to deform around the flashlight or other light source and hold the sign in place. The flashlight provides light to illuminate the plate and message contained by reflecting off of a reflective material or coating on the interior of the sidewall.

Abstract: A parking assist device (1) includes a camera (3) for capturing an image of an exterior of a vehicle, and a monitor (4) for displaying the captured image, and sets a target parking position by moving a target parking frame (11) displayed on a screen of the monitor (4). A default position of the target parking frame (11) is determined based on a target parking position (P2) which is a relative position with respect to a parking preparation position (P1). The target parking position (P2) is estimated based on a running state of the vehicle until the vehicle reaches the parking preparation position (P1).

Abstract: To provide a small portable, (not permanently fixed or mounted in panel of Aircraft) dual power source, independent aircraft attitude indicator, to be used as a back up to the main vacuum driven indicator in light to medium general aviation aircraft. The purpose would be to facilitate control or navigation of the aircraft in case of a vacuum pump failure to the main indicator. The unit size would be approximately 3 by 5 inches and would be composed of the following.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing N equally-weighted digital signals, where N is an arbitrary integer not necessarily an integer power of 2. The invention is particularly useful in noise-shaping, mixed-signal converters. The apparatus includes a rotator for rotating the N equally-weighted digital signals in a sequence of rotator states in respective clock cycles to provide N rotated digital signals, and a data-directed scrambler having N inputs and N outputs for data-directed scrambling of the rotated digital signals to distribute the N equally-weighted digital signals to each of the N outputs of the scrambler such that the usage of the N outputs is dynamically balanced over a relatively small number of clock cycles, leading to a shaped noise spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adaptive variable length coding in which a set of data symbols comprising a certain first number of data symbols having a first value and a certain second number of data symbols having values other than the first value are represented by variable length codewords. According to the invention, at least one characteristic of the variable length coding applied to the data symbols is adapted according to the second number of data symbols which have values other than the first value. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of variable length decoding, as well as an encoder and decoder which implement the variable length coding and decoding methods according to the invention.

Abstract: A system and method are used to convert a parallel datastream to a serial datastream. N number of parallel bits are input to n number of selection devices. One of the n number of selection devices is selected as an active selection device. The active selection device is directly coupled to a corresponding current source. The (n−1) inactive selection devices are coupled to a current steering device. The current steering device is coupled to the corresponding (n−1) inactive selection devices. The current steering devices allow taking over by input data bit or latch on the previous bit if there is no input. The parallel bit is converted to a bit in the serial datastream by generating a voltage representative of a value of the serial bit utilizing a combined current from the n current sources.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce bit depth and word number of a LUT memory 12 as small as possible, while obtaining &ggr; conversion output data with accuracy superior to the bit depth. Outputting table output data Dout0 and Dout1 which are associated with first table input data RA0 addressed and inputted to the LUT memory 12 and second table input data RA1 obtained by adding “1” thereto, and interpolating them outside the LUT memory 12, thereby obtaining output data having a larger bit depth than the LUT memory 12. At this time, the speed of signal processing is improved by employing a dual port memory as the LUT memory 12 or using a register group for the single port memory. Also, when the second table input data RA1 overflows, a specific value is employed as an alternative.

Abstract: A calibration system and method for a resistor ladder that employs relative measurement and adjustment between pairs of resistors. The system includes a resistor tree of complementary pairs of programmable resistors coupled to the resistor ladder, a measurement circuit that measures voltage differences between complementary pairs of programmable resistors, and control logic. The control logic controls the measurement circuit to measure a voltage difference between each complementary pair of programmable resistors and adjusts the relative resistance of each complementary pair of programmable resistors to equalize voltage. The measurement is facilitated by a sigma-delta ADC that converts a measured voltage difference into a bit stream. The programmable resistors are implemented with binary weighted resistors that are digitally adjusted one LSB at a time. Lower and upper adjustment thresholds may be employed to avoid unnecessary over-adjustments while maintaining a requisite level of accuracy.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion circuit includes first and second DACs. Switch circuitry couples a selected output of only one of the DACs to an output node at any given time. In one embodiment, a second output of the first DAC is coupled to the first output of the second DAC at a common node. The first output of the first DAC is coupled to a first switch node and a second output of the second DAC is coupled to a second switch node. A first switch couples the common node to the first switch node in response to a first switch signal. A second switch couples the common node to the second switch node in response to a second switch signal. The switch signals ensure that the common node is coupled through the first and second switches to only one of the first and second switch nodes at any given time.

Abstract: An Analog-to-Digital-Converter (ADC) converts an analog signal to digital data. The ADC includes a modulator, a decimation filter, and a time dither clock reduction circuit. The modulator receives the analog signal and a feedback signal and, based there upon, produces a modulated signal at a modulator clock rate. The decimation filter couples to the modulator, receives the modulated signal, and decimates and filters the modulated signal to produce the digital data. The time dither clock reduction circuit receives the modulated signal and provides the feedback signal to the modulator. The time dither clock reduction circuit applies both clock reduction and time dithering to the modulated signal to produce the feedback signal. At each modulator clock cycle, the time dithering clock reduction circuit considers modulated signals for a dithering factor, N, previous modulator clock cycles and a modulated signal for a current modulator clock cycle.

Abstract: A method of amplitude control in a 1-bit digital system includes the step of scaling the stream of 1-bit data by a scaling factor corresponding to a selected output amplitude. The scaled data is modulated and the resulting modulated, scaled data is converted from digital to analog form.

Abstract: It is an objective to provide a digital-to-analog converter circuit that allows the value of the current output from each current source cell to be identical, regardless of the position of that current source cell relative to the power supply line. To ensure that the voltages supplied to the respective current source cells are identical, the power supply lines La and Lb are disposed in the form of a right triangle modified such that their line widths W1 and W2 become constantly narrower on one side depending on the position at which the power supply lines La and Lb are formed. The power supply lines La and Lb are also disposed such that their hypotenuses are opposite to each other.

Abstract: First and second switches are connected at each node between adjacent resistors in a resistor row and at the end of the resistor row. A predetermined number of first switches are grouped together and short-circuited to obtain a plurality of first switch groups, and a predetermined number of second switches are grouped together and short-circuited to obtain a plurality of second switch groups. The first and second switch groups are connected to output terminals via output switches. The first and second switches are ON/OFF controlled such that only one switch in the first and second switch groups is connected to the resistance row.

Abstract: A customizable and an upgradable remote control is provided which may be customized or upgraded via a Web site or through other remote, and preferably interactive, processes. A database is provided which includes a plurality of functions of a consumer electronic device, such as a TV and/or a DVD player. A user selects among the plurality of functions at least one of the desired functions. In response to the user selection a virtual configuration is created to virtually configure the customizable remote control. The virtual configuration may be downloaded to the customizable remote control.

Abstract: An extraction method and an integrated cell for extracting a binary value based on a propagation of an edge of a triggering signal in two electric paths, comprising across two voltage supply terminals: two parallel branches each comprising, in series, a resistor for differentiating the electric paths; a read transistor, the junction point of the resistor and of the read transistor of each branch defining an output terminal of the cell, and the gate of the read transistor of each branch being connected to the output terminal of the other branch; and a selection transistor.

Abstract: A method and bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system generate an image of a target area without knowledge of the position or velocity of the illuminator. The system includes an illuminator to illuminate a target area with a null-monopulse radiation pattern interleaved with a sum radiation pattern. The illuminator adjusts the phase terms of the sum radiation pattern to maintain a static electromagnetic field pattern at the target area. A receiver receives the radiation patterns reflected from the target area and generates phase compensation terms by correlating a measured electromagnetic vector field with the known static electromagnetic vector field. The phase compensation terms are used to generate an image of the target area.