Abstract: A vehicle speeding alert system is implemented on a GPS enabled wireless device in communication with a wireless network. The alert system periodically determines the speed of a vehicle by determining the speed of the wireless device carried therein, using GPS signals received by the wireless device. For example, speed can be calculated by dividing a certain distance that the wireless device travels by the time it takes to travel that distance. The vehicle's speed is then compared to the speed limit of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling. The speed limit is determined by comparing the wireless device's location to map data relating to the geographic area around the location. The map data may be stored on the wireless device, or obtained from a map database accessible over the network. If the vehicle speed is above the speed limit, a notification or alert is issued.

Abstract: A system and method for communications between a plurality of shipping containers and a central monitoring station using a meteor burst communication method is provided. The system may also be used as a redundancy scheme as a backup communications device for a primary satellite or cellular channel. The channel also uses an error protection protocol, and proposes a method to conserve battery power for the system.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a plurality of shipping containers which are designated as a specific group or lot is provided. The system may use the receiver range of a short range wireless communications device to track containers among themselves, or alternatively use a global positioning device in conjunction with a long range satellite or cellular communications device to report position back to a central monitoring station which utilizes a centralized method for tracking the container lots. An alarm condition is generated if any given container gets separated from the group or lot.

Abstract: A novel wireless data communication topology collecting and transmitting data from various sensors and other data sources in a facility. The topology includes serial data modems, serial to Ethernet converters, Ethernet to General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) converters, wireless data transmitters and wireless Ethernet radios, e.g., wireless bridges. These data transmission devices transmit data collected from sensors, test instruments and other data generators that monitor a facility. The transmitted data is uploaded to data collection computer systems that may be networked using a LAN (local area network) an intranet and/or internet.

Abstract: A system and method which enable an airline passenger who is traveling with articles, such as baggage and the like, to easily locate them upon arrival to the airport luggage retrieval point, even among a mass of look-alike baggage articles around it. The system is activated automatically by a light and/or acoustic sensors, is easy to use, easy to install and inexpensive. The system is also capable of providing the user with an indication whether his baggage is getting closer to him or moving farther away from him.

Abstract: A multiple safety monitoring system comprises a weight meter in a first control section; a door of a control section having a card reader for identifying a card for determining a person; the weight meter serving for measuring a weight of a person; the value of measured weight being transferred and stored in a central control system of a computer through a protocol converter and a hub for contrasting and determining whether the weight is within a permissible range; in the first control section, each time, only a person is permitted to enter into the door of the first control section; monitors arranged in the second and third control section for determining movement of persons in the control sections; the monitors having monitor recording systems which are connected to a programmable logic device electrically; and signals being transferred to the programmable logic device for processing.

Abstract: An electromagnetic intrusion detection system which has a transmitter that produces a radio frequency output which is received by an antenna which receives the output and radiates an electromagnetic field into the surrounding space. This in turn responds to the presence of an object or an environmental condition causing absorption and/or reflection. A monitoring apparatus monitors power consumption and thus provides a signal output relating to the environmental condition and/or intrusion.

Abstract: A seat for a vehicle includes: a detecting sensor detecting an occupant having a planar antenna electrode, at which electric filed is generated, and a ground electrode arranged with a clearance along an outer periphery of the antenna electrode. The antenna electrode can be provided with a hole at the center of the antenna electrode.

Abstract: A system for capacitive detection of seat occupancy in a vehicle comprises a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode arranged in substantially parallel layers. A spacer is arranged between the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at a certain distance from each other. The spacer comprises an inner textile layer and at least one of the electrodes comprises a film-based electrode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an output pad, an alarm output pad, and a test mode output pad. A first multi-bit register is programmable to store programmable data such as data that identifies a customer for whom the integrated circuit has been manufactured. A second multi-bit register is programmable to store customer specified threshold data. A first circuit selectively couples the first and second multi-bit registers to the output pad. The first circuit is operable responsive to the integrated circuit being placed into a test mode to perform parallel-to-serial conversion of either the customer identification data stored in the first multi-bit register or the customer specified threshold data stored in the second multi-bit register and drive the converted data for output through the output pad. The integrated circuit further includes a tamper detection circuit operable responsive to the customer specified threshold data to generate a tamper alarm signal.

Abstract: A system for associating baggage with a passenger comprises a biometric reader that captures a biometric measure from a passenger, a boarding document comprising a machine-readable boarding identifier, and a baggage tag comprising a machine-readable baggage identifier. An association processor associates the machine-readable boarding identifier and the machine-readable baggage identifier and the biometric measure.

Abstract: Information from an object having an RFID tag is received and state information about the object is received from a sensing device. A state is determined for the object using the information from the tag and the sensing device, and the state is assigned to the object.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention describe a method of tracking an item, comprising. The items is associated with a tag and capable of responding to a query from a tag reader and tag combination. The tag reader and tag combination capable of identifying the item associated with the tag using a tag reader. In operation, a tag reader makes a request to at least one tag reader and tag combination for the identity of an item associated with a tag. The tag reader and tag combination identifies the item associated with the tag and provides the identity of the item and tag to the tag reader.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for calling attention to loss of communication with an electronic shelf label. One or more of a plurality of labels deployed in a location may be programmed with a message to be displayed or an action to be taken if communication is lost. The labels may be programmed with a scheduled action that will cause a label to take the programmed action or display the programmed message if communication with the label does not occur by a specified time. Communication with the label causes the action or event to be rescheduled.

Abstract: Various method and apparatus embodiments involving RFID switching are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, includes receiving an excitation signal at a switch associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a disabling material, and changing a state of the RFID tag with the switch based on proximity of the disabling material to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system for detecting access to an article, including an RFID tag, a reader detecting the RFID tag via wireless communication, and a container including conductive material is described. The container encloses the article. The conductive material surrounds the RFID tag and substantially prevents wireless communication between the RFID tag and the reader unless the container is opened. Detection of the RFID tag may indicate that the container has been opened or the article has been accessed. A host computer may be notified of the detection and may receive from the RFID tag information associated with the article for inventory and accounting purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed are deactivatable RFID labels and tags in individual and web form, and methods of making same. When it is desired to deactivate the label or tag, the tag or label is subjected to tearing. One arrangement involves providing the label or tag with a tear strip by which the RFID transponder in the label or tag is destroyed, and in another arrangement a tag can be torn along a weakening line to destroy the RFID transponder.

Abstract: A broadband antenna constructed according to the present invention for use with an RFID tag device is formed with a three dimensional (3D) structure. The 3D structure of the antenna enables the antenna to be constructed with a size smaller than that of conventional two-dimensional antennas, consequently reducing the size of the overall tag device, but without any loss of efficiency. The 3D antennas can be tuned to a specific frequency in a particular frequency band, enabling many more unique RFID devices to be defined and operate within that band in conjunction with a reader utilizing a frequency-hopping method without interfering with one another. Additionally, the antenna can receive signals from a higher frequency band than the band in which the antenna resonates to enable those higher power signals to supply power to the device without interfering with the resonant frequency signals received by and transmitted from the RFID device.

Abstract: To provide an IC-tagged bearing device, in which difficulties brought about by reflection and/or absorption of radio waves upon and/or in raceway members or the like can be avoided, information recording can be accomplished satisfactorily, an IC tag itself does not require an antenna, and the IC tag can have a compact, yet large capacity. The bearing device, having a bearing space delimited between inner and outer races (1, 2) and sealed by a sealing member (5), includes an IC tag (9) which utilizes a core metal (6) as an antenna and which is fitted to the sealing member (5). The sealing member (5) is made of a rubber material or a synthetic resin having the core metal (6).

Abstract: A circular data-bearing medium having a hub hole has a chip and two distinct loop antennas, each offset from the other, each antenna disposed around the hub hole, the chip electrically connected with each of the two distinct antennas. The circular data-bearing medium does not have a battery. When bathed in RF energy the chip receives power from one of the loop antennas. During the power-up time the chip may receive messages on the other of the loop antennas, and may respond, on that antenna, to some of the received messages and not others, based upon internal states within the chip. At least one of the internal states is reset upon loss and restoration of the bathing RF energy. When passed nearby to an EAS sensor, for example at an exit of a store, the chip can selectively either trigger the sensor or not trigger the sensor, as a function of whether an EAS link has or has not been blown, and the triggering response is non-identical from one data-bearing medium to the next.

Abstract: Method of evaluating the state of alertness of a vehicle driver based on the analysis of the eyelid movements of the driver. A classification of blink durations composed of m classes defined mathematically, and a classification of states of alertness composed of n alertness state classes including a class corresponding to an “alert” state and a class corresponding to a “sleepy” state, delimited by given thresholds of numbers of medium and long duration blinks, are set up. During an evaluation, a duration vector is associated with each blink, of which each component represents the degree of membership of the blink in one of the predefined duration classes, temporal analysis windows are defined at the end of each of which a cumulative duration vector is calculated of which each component consists of the sum ?M,?L of same row components of duration vectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing a smoke detector is provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an extension that has an open end for positioning within a space on a first side of a partition and a housing end for positioning within a space on a second side of the partition. The open end is exposed to ambient air within the space on the first side of the partition. A smoke detector enclosure for receiving the smoke detector is provided. At least a portion of the smoke detector enclosure contacts a portion of the tubular extension. A cover can also be secured to the smoke detector enclosure.

Abstract: A switch state assurance mechanism of a power stealing circuit for connection to a thermostatically controlled or other kind of operational system. The mechanism may be an interface for the power stealing circuit to the operational system. A switch or relay of the mechanism may have several states but have an appropriate state for a given status of the power stealing circuit and the operational system. The switch or relay may have a latching characteristic relative to its states. The mechanism may have a detection circuit and a drive circuit connected to the relay, and a control circuit connected to the detection circuit and the drive circuit. The mechanism may check the relay state and change the relay to a desired state. The mechanism may be incorporated in other circuits beside a power stealing circuit.

Abstract: Contact control I/F (interface) to attain transmission and reception of a contact signal with various contact specifications, which is electrically insulated from a circuit inside an apparatus by an insulation element. A plurality of signal terminals which carry out transmission and reception of a contact signal, and a switching unit for selectively setting at least one of the plurality of signal terminals at any one of an input terminal or an output terminal, are installed at a control apparatus for carrying out transmission and reception of a contact signal which is electrically isolated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an RFID tag to facilitate the determination of its location while at the same time minimizing the energy drain on the tag's battery. At predetermined intervals, the tag transmits its identifier along with status information. If the status indicates that the tag is in a new location, the tag will then expend additional battery energy by participating in the determination of its location. The distance from an interrogator to the tag is determined by transmitting two signals from the interrogator that propagate at different velocities. By determining the difference in arrival times at the tag of the two signals, the distance from the interrogator to the tag can be determined.

Abstract: The sight in front of a vehicle is picked up by an onboard imaging apparatus, and the picked up image is displayed on an onboard display device arranged at a position that is visually recognizable from a following vehicle of the leading vehicle.

Abstract: A traffic control system and device is provided. The traffic control system of the instant invention permits two-way communication between a plurality of traffic signal devices. Each traffic signal device locally controls the state of the traffic signals, while communication between the traffic signal devices is used to synchronize the internal timers or clocks of the plurality of traffic control devices.

Abstract: A processor, software code, and a method for generating warning indicating that flaps are not suitably in a take-off position. A first component is configured to receive a first signal indicative of one of a group of flaps positions, the group including a take-off position. A second component is configured to receive a second signal indicative of an aircraft position. A third component is configured to compare the aircraft position to the contents of a database and to, by the comparison, determine whether the aircraft position is within a runway perimeter. A fourth component is configured to generate an alarm when the aircraft is within the runway perimeter and the flaps position is not the take-off position.

Abstract: Precision approach path indicator systems (PAPIs) effective in providing approach slope guidance for aircraft approaching an airport runway are provided. Such PAPIs include a plurality of light assemblies positioned on or in proximity to an airport runway and structured or configured to be effective in providing approach slope guidance light signals to a pilot of an aircraft approaching a runway. Each light assembly includes a light source comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs), preferably a first array of LEDs and a second array of LEDs.

Abstract: A control circuit memorizes identification information of a landmark and a visits count relative to a spot assigned the landmark, in a visits count storing unit. The control circuit updates the visits count stored in the visits count storing unit when the spot assigned the landmark is visited. When a certain landmark becomes included in a map display range on a display unit, the control circuit refers to the visits count storing unit to determine whether a visits count relative to the certain landmark is greater than a predetermined count. The certain landmark is highlighted on the map when the visits count is determined to be greater than the predetermined count.

Abstract: When an optical disk player 1 is switched on, a controller 15 firstly obtains information of a sampling frequency or sampling frequencies that an appliance, which is connected to the optical disc player 1 through the HDMI cable, supports (step #1). Then, when a command of a playing start is input (YES in step #2), it is judges whether the connected appliance supports the audio output or not (step #3). When the connected appliance supports the audio output (YES in step #3), and also when the sampling frequency of a sound source is larger than the sampling frequency or frequencies that the connected appliance supports (YES in step #4), the audio signals are down-sampled to fit the connected appliance (step #5), and then, output of the audio signals is started (step #6).

Abstract: A cylindrical cover-attached encoder apparatus, including a magnetic metal-based body having a cylindrical shape, a magnetic rubber-based encoder having a cylindrical shape and formed around the outer peripheral surface of said magnetic metal-based cylindrical body, and a nonmagnetic material-based cover having a cylindrical shape and adapted to be mounted on said magnetic rubber-based encoder for covering the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of said magnetic rubber-based encoder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a direction indicator control device for vehicles, particularly trucks, comprising a driving unit (16) for activating a left and/or right direction indicator in response to a driving command, a transmitting unit (12) for transmitting a start command, and a receiving unit (14). The receiving unit (14) comprises a receiver (24) for receiving said start command; a memory (28) storing at least one sequence of driving commands, and a selection and control circuit (30) adapted to select any one of the sequences of driving commands stored in the memory in response to the start command and to transmit the driving commands of the selected sequence to the driving unit as to activate the direction indicators.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for inputting character and numerals to display of a mobile communication terminal. According to the present invention, consonant letters of a language are marked on each key of the keypad, and vowel letters are arranged in at least four directions (upper, lower, left, right, and diagonal) along the sliding directions of the keypad. In the case of a keypad with Korean alphabets, a user inputs a consonant by pressing a key on the keypad, and slides the keypad in 4 directions at least to input a desired vowel. In the case of a keypad with Roman alphabets, a user inputs two kinds of consonants by pressing keys on the keypad, and slides the keypad in 4 directions at least to input a desired vowel. Likewise, in the case of a keypad with Japanese alphabets, a user inputs (I) on each row by pressing a key on the keypad, and slides the keypad in 4 directions at least to input (II), and other special characters and functional keys.

Abstract: A key scan type input device includes a microcomputer having a plurality of output ports for outputting scan signals and a plurality of input ports for receiving key signals in a scan signal section, a first key matrix having a plurality of system control keys arranged in a x*y arrangement, lines of the keys being connected to the respective output ports of the microcomputer and columns of the keys being connected to the respective input ports, and a second key matrix having one or more system control keys arranged in a m*m arrangement, lines and columns being connected in parallel at least two of the output ports and at least two input ports of the microcomputer.

Abstract: An input tangled sequence such as an instruction stream is compressed by modeling the sequence into multiple Markov chains to simultaneously capture and exploit the correlations among and within subsequences that are mingled in the input tangled sequence. The multiple Markov chains may be combined to drive an entropy coder.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards systems and methods for managing multimedia data on a portable storage device. In one embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computing device, causes said processor to execute a process for managing multimedia data on a portable storage device of a particular type when the memory card is communicatively coupled with the computing device.

Abstract: A programmable gate array apparatus includes macrocells connected in series, each macrocell including first group of storage elements in which active context data item is stored and second group of storage elements corresponding to storage elements of first group respectively, in which idle context data item is stored, connects storage elements of second group in series, loads context data item into second group whose storage elements are connected in series, connects first group and second group by connecting storage elements of first group to corresponding storage elements of second group respectively, and swaps context data items between first group and second group.

Abstract: A data compression system and method for that is capable of detecting and eliminating repeated phrases of variable length within a window of virtually unlimited size.

Abstract: A position code is recorded by capturing a sequence of images while writing on the base with a user unit. The position code may be decoded to a sequence of absolute positions reflecting the movement of the user unit over the base. If the position code in any image is not sufficiently recorded, e.g. because it is obscured by other graphics on the base, the spatial relationship of the image to another image in the sequence is determined. If the position code in this other image in the image sequence is decodable to an absolute position, the absolute position of the image in which the position code is not decodable could nevertheless be determined by using the spatial relationship. In this way the movement of the user unit can be recorded even though the position code is obscured, which could be the case when the same printing ink is used for both the position code and other graphics on the base.

Abstract: A method and device to arithmetically decode scalable bit sliced arithmetic coding (BSAC) audio data are provided. The arithmetic decoding method includes checking whether all side information of a last layer of the BSAC audio data is to be decoded, and performing BSAC smart decoding and terminating the decoding when all the side information of the last layer is not decoded, and terminating decoding of the last layer when all the side information of the last layer is decoded. The BSAC smart decoding includes checking whether a symbol to be decoded is determined regardless of data read after the truncated bitstream, continuing the decoding when decoding can be performed regardless of data read after the truncated bitstream, and determining that ambiguity occurs and terminating the decoding, when the symbol to be decoded is determined dependent on the data read after the truncated bitstream. Accordingly, byte level scalability can be provided in a MPEG-4 BSAC decoder.

Abstract: A method and device for decoding bin values using a pipeline architecture in a CABAC decoder are provided. The method includes reading a first context model required to decode a first bin value, from a memory; determining whether a second context model required to decode a second bin value is the same as the first context model, while decoding the first bin value using the first context model; determining whether a third context model required to decode a third bin value is the same as the second context model, while decoding the second bin value using the second context model, if it is determined that the second context model is the same as the first context model; and reading the second context model from the memory, if it is determined that the second context model is not the same as the first context model.

Abstract: A demodulation table for converting variable length code (d, k; m, n; r) is provided. The variable length code has a maximum constraint length r>1, has a minimum run of d (d>0), has a maximum run of k, and a basic codeword length of n bits into data having a basic data length of m bits. The demodulation table includes: a basic table for converting code patterns composed of basic codes having a basic codeword length of n bits into data patterns composed of basic data having a basic data length of m bits; and a substitution table for converting code patterns of a plurality of different minimum run successive occurrence limiting patterns determined so as to limit successive occurrences of the minimum run to a maximum of N (N>1) times into a corresponding identical data pattern.

Abstract: A decoding method according to the present invention is a method of decoding a variable length code to a Run symbol and a Level symbol. The Run symbol indicates the number of consecutive coefficients each having a value of zero. The Level symbol indicates a value of a non-zero coefficient following the Run symbol. The decoding method includes decoding a variable length code to a code number, determining whether the code number obtained in the decoding belongs to a first range or a predetermined range, decoding the code number to a Run symbol and a Level symbol by referring to a table, when it is determined that the code number belongs to the first range, and decoding the code number to a Level symbol and then decoding a variable length code following the decoded variable length code to a Run symbol, without referring to the table, when it is determined that the code number belongs to the predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a double-sided pulse width modulation (PWM) signal (110) is disclosed. The method includes generating a leading edge PWM signal and a trailing edge PWM signal from a pulse code modulation (PCM) data stream (102) using a modulation conversion circuitry (106). The method further includes combining the leading edge PWM signal and the trailing edge PWM signal to form a double-sided PWM signal using a combining circuitry (108).

Abstract: An RF carrier generator comprises a circuit for sequentially counting as a function of a randomized offset and time interval, and a memory coupled to the sequential counting circuit. The memory stores samples of a desired Sigma-Delta modulator sequence bit stream. Responsive to an output of the sequential counting circuit, the memory sequentially outputs a single-bit output bit stream of a series of partial sequences of the desired Sigma-Delta modulator sequence bit stream. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Included are a first DAC taking in and retaining sample data of a first analog signal and generating a comparison signal serving as an object of comparison with the first analog signal, a second DAC taking in and retaining sample data of a second analog signal and generating a comparison signal as an object of comparison with the second analog signal, a first switch connecting the first digital-to-analog converter to an output side of a second digital converter in a openable/closable manner, a comparator comparing, when the first switch is opened, a differential value between the first analog signal and the second analog signal with a differential value between an output signal of the first DAC and an output signal of the second DAC, and an electric potential control circuit controlling fluctuations in electric potentials of a first analog terminal and a second analog terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of differentially decoding analog baseband signals are described. In one aspect, a wireless communication apparatus includes a baseband filtering stage and a differential decoder stage. The baseband filtering stage receives a DPSK analog baseband signal differentially encoded with phase shift differences in successive symbol periods. The baseband filtering stage selectively passes frequencies in the DPSK analog baseband signal within a passband frequency range to produce a filtered analog signal. The differential decoder includes a delay circuit and a combiner circuit. The delay circuit produces from the filtered analog signal a reference signal that preserves values of a feature of the filtered analog signal for one symbol period. The combiner circuit combines values of a feature of the filtered analog signal during a current symbol period with values of the reference signal to produce a resultant signal representing a differential decoding of the DPSK analog baseband signal.

Abstract: A system on a chip integrated circuit includes a first digital module a second digital module such that the first digital module and the second digital module are operably coupled to generate an output signal based on an input signal, based on the first digital clock signal and the second digital clock signal. A digital clock generator generates a base clock signal at a base clock frequency that varies based on a control signal and generates a first digital clock signal having a substantially constant number of first digital clock cycles over a predetermined period and for generating a second digital clock signal having a substantially constant number of second digital clock cycles over the predetermined period.

Abstract: A folding and interpolating analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a preamp unit, a first folding stage, a second folding stage, a comparison unit and an encoder. The preamp unit receives an analog input signal and reference voltages to generate reference signals. The first folding stage generates a first group of folding signals based on the reference signals. The second folding stage generates a second group of folding signals based the first group. The comparison unit generates a digital code based on the folding signals in the second group. The encoder encodes the digital code. Therefore, the ADC can increase a resolution and a conversion speed, but reduce interpolating errors.