Abstract: An onboard wireless communication system for a vehicle, such as a tire pressure monitoring system (“TPMS”) is disclosed. The TPMS includes wheel-mounted radio frequency (“RF“) sensor/transmitters that transmit RF signals conveying tire pressure information, at least one RF relay element, and an RF receiver coupled to a TPMS processor. The RF relay element(s) relay the RF signals from the sensor/transmitters to the RF receiver to reduce the negative effect of electromagnetic field scattering caused by conductive parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device and tire combination wherein an antenna is mounted to the tire in a location spaced from the monitoring device. In one embodiment, the antenna may be mounted to the tire sidewall outside the body cords of the tire. The antenna may be mounted on the outer surface of the sidewall or embedded within the body of the sidewall. The antenna is connected to the monitoring device with a connector. The connector may be electrically coupled to the monitoring device or may be connected to the monitoring device with a plug and socket connection. When the antenna is outside the body cord, the connector may extend from the antenna through the bead filler, over the top of the turn up, or under the bead ring.

Abstract: An alarm system incorporated into a motor vehicle for warning of an unattended condition associated with an occupant left within the vehicle. The vehicle includes a first seating location and a second seating location. The alarm system includes a first, mat shaped and pressure activated sensor associated with the first seating location and a second corresponding sensor associated with the second seating location. A wire harness communicates with each of the first and second sensors. A processor driven and control relay operatively communicates with the sensors, via the wire harness, the relay, upon determining a first sensor condition associated with a first unoccupied seating location concurrent with determining a second occupied seating location, activates an audible alarm associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and device serves to reduce damage caused by an accident, in which a vehicle driver is unable to bring the vehicle that has had an accident into a safe position. A system intervenes in an appropriate manner into the motional behavior of the vehicle, influencing the latter in such a way that the vehicle can be brought into a safe position without the cooperation of the driver (autonomously).

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.

Abstract: A passive bypass device for providing a data path around a power meter is provided. The device may be communicatively connected to two low voltage power line energized conductors on a first and a second side of a power meter. The energized power line conductors conduct both the data signals and the power. The bypass device includes a filter that causes the power to pass through the power meter while allowing the data signal to pass around the power meter thereby providing a substantially non-attenuated data signal path. The bypass device may include a first and second data path for the first and second energized conductors and with each path having a high pass filter and a fuse communicatively connected to its respective energized conductor on each side of the power meter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing alerts or warnings of a variety of hazards are disclosed. A warning system is disclosed that continuously operates and is configured to receive and analyze advisory notices from publicly and/or privately available broadcasts that do not require registration of the device and/or user. Continuous operation provides the warning system user with appropriate warnings, even when the user cannot personally monitor the advisory notices, such as when the user is asleep.

Abstract: method of indicating the location of a relatively mobile object, comprising the steps of.

Abstract: An object locator system in accordance with the invention includes an activator unit and an object incorporating an embedded signal generator to generate a signal that provides location information of the object. A power switch of the object is settable to a first position where a power source of the object is coupled to an electronic load, and to a second position where the power source is coupled to the embedded signal generator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a subliminal audio burglar deterrent device IP and system wherein a subliminal message is created and broadcast using techniques to unconsciously cause a burglar to mistakenly perceive the presence of a human or an animal in the space being protected.

Abstract: An alarm system (100) to wake sleeping occupants in the event of an emergency has a receiver (105) for detecting a warning signal (130) emitted from an external device (125), such as a smoke or carbon monoxide detector. A processor (11) compares the received warning signal to a predetermined signal and, if they correspond, then a transmitter (115) transmits an alarm (135). The predetermined signal can be preprogrammed or it can be learned by alarm system. The alarm is at least one of an audible, visual, vibratory, and/or olfactory communication. A customized audible communication in a voice familiar to the occupants can be recorded and stored in the alarm system. In addition, the system may provide different alarms before and after motion is detected.

Abstract: A simple crime prevention alarm device for the windows of dwelling houses or the like. The alarm device can be simply and easily attached to and placed on various kinds of objects, such as windows or the like, to prevent crime. The manufacturing cost and the attachment cost are reduced, and further provide a simple alarm device which can be used as an urgent call means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seal for sealing a freight container. The seal includes, in its in-use configuration, a shaft (18) and heads (20) on opposite ends thereof. It includes also an electronic circuit (40) including a radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter (42) and sensing means (44, 46) for sensing severance of the shaft (18). Severance of the shaft (18), if sensed by the sensing means (44, 46), is detectable by interrogation of the RFID transmitter (42) via a compatible interrogation device. A basic embodiment of the seal comprises parts made mostly of a non-conductive, vulnerable material. Should operational requirements so dictate, additional parts are provided for effectively, in the in-use configuration of the seal, reinforcing the vulnerable parts to yield a tamper resistant seal which still may be interrogated to determine integrity of its shaft. Other embodiments of the seal permit also interrogation to determine the integrity of another part of the seal.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) to increase the accuracy and efficiency of an RFID system is provided. A system includes an RFID tag that receives a signal from an RFID reader and an RFID tag that receives a signal from an RFID reader. The system further includes at least one sensor that detects the environment of a product associated with the RFID tag and transmits a environment detection signal to the RFID reader; and an aggregation component that receives the environment detection signal and a corresponding data tag information from the RFID tag. If a environment detection signal is not received, the RFID reader ignores the data tag information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the detection of a local utilization state of a technical system for transporting and/or packaging of objects. The objects have a device for identification, especially an RFID tag, and the device for identification has a data memory. The system also has a read-write unit for the contactless reading of a data memory of an object. The system enables an early reporting of a utilization state of the technical system, such as a congestion or shortage of objects using the devices for identification. The system can also be used for object tracking. The detection of the local utilization state is realized by the repeated reading of the data memory of an object. A control unit of the system and a method for detecting a utilization state of a technical system for transporting and/or packaging objects are also provided.

Abstract: A system to monitor the status of a firefighter comprising a self contained breathing apparatus associated with the firefighter and operational with a microprocessor to transmit and receive signals by means of transceivers, a monitor to visually observe the signals, and a personal alert safety system operational with the apparatus to detect firefighter distress signals.

Abstract: An enclosure constructed around an area at which hot work is to be performed at a facility containing flammable or combustible material. Hot work includes such things as welding, torch cutting, grinding and the like. Facilities include petroleum drilling and production platforms, oil tankers, petroleum and chemical plants, and petroleum tank farms. Gas detection monitoring apparatuses are used with the enclosure which will automatically simultaneously shutdown one or more enclosures.

Abstract: A display system for use in displaying data in respect of usage of a device, the display system including: a detection system capable of detecting events that are indicative of usage of the device; and a display arranged to display data, the display system being arranged to invoke a selected display mode on the display, and being adapted, in response to detection of a given said event, to invoke a selected display mode, the display mode being selectable by the display system from a set of a plurality of different display modes in dependence on an elapsed time between a previous said event and said given event, each of the different display modes identifying a different stage of elapsed time.

Abstract: Onboard control system (1), particularly for motor vehicles, comprising a control device (9), buttons (13, 15), and a computer (5) capable of responding to the actuation of the buttons (13, 15) by executing the onboard device (3) control functions selectively, characterised in that the computer (5) is capable of controlling a display device (11) with a view to displaying the buttons (13, 15) and responding to the actuation of at least a first button (13) by reassigning onboard device (3) control functions to second buttons (15) while refreshing the display of the second buttons (15) to indicate the function associated therewith.

Abstract: An on-vehicle information terminal comprises a display control unit that displays a first screen at a display monitor and switches from the first screen to a second screen when a predetermined length of display change-over time elapses after the first screen starts to be displayed and a time control unit that adjusts the length of display change-over time based upon at least one of the volume of information contained in the first screen and a screen selection record indicating past selections of the first screen or the second screen by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).

Abstract: A radio frequency controlled system (10,20,30) is described in which a user's remote control (30) having a unique identifier is only accepted by a device (10, 40a) to enable remote control if authenticated. The authentication process causes the device (10, 40a) to generate and issue a key sequence which the user must input. Commands from a remote control unit (30) having the identifier are only accepted if the key sequence has been previously, and correctly input. The key sequence is issued so that only a user in close proximity of the device with direct line of sight/hearing can input it on the device. Hence, inadvertent control by a neighbours' radio frequency remote control unit is eliminated. The invention is described employing the ZigBee radio standard.

Abstract: A method for updating a memory of a universal remote control unit includes the steps of initiating, by a user, an upgrading mode; entering, by a user, a code associated with a device to be controlled by the remote control unit; entering, by a user, a signal formatting data entry which includes signal formatting data, via the keys of the keypad, to be stored in the memory of the remote control unit; and associating the device to be controlled by the remote control unit with the signal formatting data entry such that when one or more of a device type key associated with a device type is subsequently depressed, subsequent commands sent by the remote control unit have the format specified by the signal formatting data, and when a command key uniquely associated with the device type is depressed, commands sent by the remote control unit have the format specified by the signal formatting data.

Abstract: An oscillating valve driven by the pressure in a mud pulser develops a pressure variation in the mud pulse signal that is at a frequency that is different than the frequencies of the mud system. The oscillating valve is coupled to or integral with the pulse drive cylinder, whether the drive means for operation of the pulser is upstream or downstream from the orifice. A bistable valve improves performance of the transmitting element at low flow rates by providing a toggle mechanism which assures positive seating of the bistable valve.

Abstract: A formation evaluation system for a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The formation evaluation system is provided with a downhole tool and a sensor. The downhole tool is positionable in the wellbore. The downhole tool has a downhole electromagnetic unit for communication with a surface electromagnetic unit. The sensor determines at least one wellsite parameter from the electromagnetic signal. The downhole tool and the surface electromagnetic unit are adapted to pass electromagnetic signals there between. The electromagnetic signals pass through the subterranean formation whereby the sensor determines the at least one wellsite parameter from the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A method for obtaining additional information pertaining to a route along which a vehicle is traveling from a current location to a destination. Location information of the vehicle, which includes the current location, is acquired by an in-vehicle computer within the vehicle. The in-vehicle computer transmits to a server via a network: the location information, movable range information, and selection criteria information. A movable range derivable from the movable range information is an area relative to the current location in which the vehicle can travel from the current location by using a remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle when the vehicle is at the current location. A limited range with respect to the route is a function of the location information, the movable range information, and the selection criteria information. The in-vehicle computer receives, from the server, additional information limited to information concerning locations within the limited range.

Abstract: A traffic signal with integrated sensors. The present invention provides an apparatus for integrating sensors with a traffic signal. A signal case has a housing and a light source placed within the housing. A door attached to the housing is configured such that photons generated by the light may be sensed outside the housing. A tab is attached to the door. A sensor is attached to the tab. The housing or the door is adapted to allow the sensor to sense a parameter originating from outside the housing.

Abstract: This application is directed towards methods and systems for displaying health status messages and similar information from equipment, including inputting a plurality of status messages and displaying color status indicators reflecting status information. In another embodiment, the color status indicators includes one of a red, green, and yellow indicator. Further, a computer program product includes computer readable media for inputting a plurality of status messages and displaying a plurality of indicators to display equipment status. In another embodiment, the plurality of indicators include fuel levels, operational capabilities, and maintenance health status.

Abstract: An adaptive front lighting system includes a navigation system and a control module. The navigation system determines the curvature of the road ahead of the vehicle, and the control module receives information about the curvature of the road ahead of the vehicle and instructs the headlamps to swivel over a swivel angle to illuminate the roadway ahead of the vehicle.

Abstract: An adaptive filtering device and method where at least one adaptive filter receives an input signal and a metering device receives an output of the at least one adaptive filter, monitors a characteristic of the output, such as power of high-frequency components, and forwards a correction signal in a feedback loop to adjust the characteristic of the at least one filter in order to change the characteristic of the output. An adaptive filtering device (200) and method where two low-pass FIR filters (202, 204) receive an input signal, a weighted adder (206) receives outputs from the two low-pass FIR filters and changes a weighting of each to produce filtered output data, and a controller (208) that receives a cutoff frequency (203), supplies the cut-off frequency to the two low-pass FIR filters, and supplies a signal to the weighted adder for varying the weighting of each of the low-pass FIR filters to switch therebetween.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for implementing a digital filter has a data memory; the data memory having two ports to permit the access of two data samples at the same time, and a coefficient memory for storing filter coefficients. A first adder adds data samples from first and second data memory ports; a multiplier multiplies a value from the first adder by a value from the coefficient memory; and, a second adder accumulates values from the multiplier. A master controller is provided configured for selectively storing the accumulated values in the data memory for further processing or outputting the accumulated values. An address and control block communicating with the data memory and the coefficient memory holds values appropriate to the filter to be executed. The address and control block has two sets of a first set of registers for holding values for a first pre-determined digital filter and a second pre-determined digital filter in cascade.

Abstract: Embodiments related to utilizing substantially optimal entries for a relatively low complexity dictionary for matching pursuits coding is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus to compress a binary image includes a symbol dividing unit to extract at least one symbol from a binary image and to output the extracted symbol and a residue image, a symbol matching encoding unit to perform a symbol matching encoding operation on the extracted symbol, to determine an encoding mode according to a result of the symbol matching operation, and to output symbol matching encoded data and encoding mode information corresponding to the encoding mode, a first encoding unit to perform a bit-based encoding operation on the binary image or the residue image based on the encoding mode information and to output bit-based encoded data, and a bitstream output unit to output the bit-based encoded data of the first encoding unit as a bitstream, or to collect the bit-based encoded data of the first encoding unit and the symbol matching encoded data of the symbol matching unit and to output the collected data as the bitstream, based on the encoding mode information, and a method thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices, a media signal and a recorded medium for watermarks embedded in the sub-band domain of compressed media. Watermarks (w[n]) are embedded into the sub-band signals (xi?1[n], xi[n], xi+1[n]) of at least one selected sub-band of a compressed bit-stream (bk) using a watermark inserting unit (18). In this way there is no need to fully decode and re-encode the media signal for embedding the watermark. The watermark is embedded in selected sub-bands (e.g. sub-bands 7-15 of 32). In a preferred embodiment, the selected sub-bands are upsampled before embedding and downsampled therafter to avoid aliasing. The invention also allows embedding multiple watermarks in different sub-bands (e.g. one watermark in sub-bands 7-11, and a different watermark in sub-bands 12-16).

Abstract: In one set of embodiments, a temperature measurement system may include an analog to digital converter (ADC) to produce digital temperature readings according to a difference base-emitter voltage (?VBE) developed across a PN-junction. A clock generating circuit may be configured to provide a sampling clock used by the ADC, which in some embodiments may be a delta-sigma ADC, in performing the conversions. The clock generating circuit may be configured to change the frequency of the sampling clock a specified number of times within each one of the one or more conversion cycles to reduce an error component in the temperature measurement, where the error component is produced by an interfering signal, such as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) signal being coherent with the sampling clock, and/or a noise residing on the voltage supply and also being coherent with the sampling clock.

Abstract: Disclosed is a procedure or design approach for functional modules that may be used in connection with a multiprocessor integrated circuit chip. The approach includes keeping the dimensions of each module substantially the same and having the bus, power, clock and I/O connection configured the same on all modules. Further requirements for ease of use are to generalize the capability of each module as much as possible and to decentralize functions such as testing to be primarily performed within each module. The use of such considerations or rules substantially eases the design of a given type of custom chips, and based upon an initial chip design greatly facilitates the design of further custom chips, similar in application, but subsequent to the successful completion of the initial chip.

Abstract: Passing input strings through an application programming interface between functions that take null byte terminated strings as arguments, where at least some of said input strings contain null bytes internally.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a pixel unit that outputs a first signal including an offset voltage inherent to a pixel; a CDS unit that performs correlated double sampling of a second signal that is obtained from the first signal by canceling the offset voltage inherent to the pixel, and outputs the second signal after the correlated double sampling as a third signal including an offset voltage due to the CDS unit; and an ADC unit that performs analog-to-digital conversion of a fourth signal that is obtained from the third signal by canceling the offset voltage due to the CDS unit.

Abstract: An improved clocked data converter with a vibrating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonator. The MEMS resonator is used as part of the clock circuitry of an analog to digital converter or a digital to analog converter. The MEMS resonator may be used as the frequency determining element of an on-chip oscillator, or as a bandpass filter used to clean up an external clock signal.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) comprises a capacitive DAC that comprises N first capacitances that are connected in parallel and that have first ends and second ends, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and N first switches that selectively connect a selected one of the second ends of the N first capacitances to a common node and non-selected ones of the second ends of the N first capacitances to one of a voltage potential and a reference potential. Capacitance values of the N first capacitances are substantially equal. A second DAC communicates with the common node.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter (DAC) comprises X capacitive DACs that are connected together in series, wherein X is an integer greater than one. Each of the X capacitive DACs comprise M switches wherein M is an integer greater than one; a signal input; a signal output; and M capacitances that communicate with the M switches, respectively, and that have first and second ends and substantially equal capacitance values. The M switches selectively connect the first ends of the M capacitances to the signal output. The M switches connect the second end of a selected one of the M capacitances to the signal input. A first DAC has a signal output that communicates with the signal input of one of the X capacitive DACs.

Abstract: Data of a zeroth bit is supplied via a charge control transistor for the zeroth bit to a corresponding capacitor, data of a first bit is supplied via a charge control transistor for the first bit to a corresponding capacitor, and data of a second bit is supplied via a charge control transistor for the second bit to a corresponding capacitor. The capacitors for the zeroth bit, first bit, and second bit have capacitances which are set in a ratio of 1:2:4 and capabilities of the corresponding charge control transistors for respective bits are set in a ratio of 1:2:4. With this structure, charging of capacitors corresponding to the bits can be performed under similar conditions.

Abstract: A resistor-string digital/analog converter circuit includes a plurality of resistors configured to divide a predetermined voltage, a plurality of MOS transistors configured to divide a voltage generated across one resistor of the plurality of resistors, a control circuit configured to control a connection between the one resistor and the plurality of MOS transistors so as to supply to the plurality of MOS transistors the voltage generated across the one resistor, and a gate potential generating circuit. The gate potential generating circuit generates a plurality of mutually different gate potentials and supplies the plurality of generated gate voltages, respectively, to a plurality of gates of the plurality of MOS transistors, so that the resistance values of MOS resistance of the plurality of MOS transistors are equal to each other.

Abstract: A delta-sigma converter has coarse and fine ADCs, wherein an integrated error signal is coupled to the coarse ADC whose output drives a DAC to create feedback that achieves loop balance. The coarse ADC provides the most significant bits of the result. The integrated error signal is also applied to a fine ADC whose output bits are not incorporated into the feedback, but which are combined with those of the coarse ADC and the combination applied to a filter that averages the hunting that represents loop balance. A DC feed forward circuit shunts the integrator with a replica of the applied input signal to apply it to the coarse ADC through a summer, allowing its output to be just the integrated error signal without including the applied input. If continuous integration is used, an AC feed forward circuit provides a compensatory voltage that is removed from the integrator output (or alternatively, is added to its input) and that corrects for a frequency dependent error.

Abstract: A rapid response measurement is accomplished by providing to a programmable gain amplifier an input to be measured, providing to an analog to digital converter having a predetermined output rate, the output from the programmable gain amplifier, determining when the output is greater than full scale input range of the analog to digital converter in an interval shorter than the period of the predetermined output rate of the analog to digital converter and adjusting the gain of the programmable gain amplifier to reduce the output below the full scale of the analog to digital converter at a rate faster than the predetermined output rate of the ADC.

Abstract: A mixer receiving a first analog signal and a first digital signal, corresponding to a succession, at a first frequency, of first messages each comprising a first number of bits, and providing a second analog signal, comprises an analog-to-digital converter of the first analog signal into a second digital signal, corresponding to a succession, at a second frequency greater than the first one, of second messages having a second number of bits smaller than the first one; a digital-to-digital converter of the second digital signal into a third one corresponding to a succession, at the second frequency, of third messages having the first number of bits; an interpolation unit providing a fourth digital signal corresponding to a succession, at the second frequency, of fourth messages having the first number of bits; an adder providing the sum of the third and fourth digital signals; and an output digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: The most hardware efficient way to implement an N-stage pipeline ADC is to use (G+1)-level ADC-DAC for its first (N-1) stages and use (2·G?1)-level ADC for the last stage, where G is the inter-stage gain. For the fist (N-1) stages using (G+1)-level ADC-DAC, the (G+1) levels are uniformly distributed between ?(G?1)/G and (G?1)/G; inclusively. The spacing between two adjacent levels is 2(G?1)/G2. For the last stage using (2·G?1)-level ADC, the (2·G?1)-levels are uniformly distributed between ?(G?1)/G and (G?1)/G; inclusively.

Abstract: A pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) comprises a first stage that receives an input voltage signal and that comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC includes an amplifier having an input and an output. N capacitances are connected in parallel and include first ends that selectively communicate with the input and second ends. N switches selectively connect the second ends of the N capacitances to the voltage input during a first phase, one of the second ends of the N capacitances to the output of the amplifier during a second phase, and others of the second ends of the N capacitances to one of a voltage reference and a reference potential during the second phase. A second stage communicates with the output the amplifier.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a near field electromagnetic absorber that is capable of expressing an effective electromagnetic wave absorption characteristic in a broad range of frequency bands by using conductive material that conductively acts on the electrical field component of an electromagnetic wave. The present invention discloses a near-filed electromagnetic wave absorber consisting essentially of conductive material, wherein the near-field electromagnetic wave absorber absorbs an electromagnetic wave within one wavelength from the electromagnetic wave source by the conductive material, which conductively acts on the electrical field component of the electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting objects. In one embodiment, a person entering a secured zone is illuminated with low-power polarized radio waves. Differently polarized waves which are reflected back from the person are collected. Concealed weapons are detected by measuring various parameters of the reflected signals and then calculating various selected differences between them. These differences create patterns when plotted as a function of time. Preferably a trained neural network pattern recognition program is then used to evaluate these patterns and autonomously render a decision on the presence of a weapon. An interrupted continuous wave system may be employed. Multiple units may be used to detect various azimuthal angles and to improve accuracy.