Abstract: A sensing device for detecting the presence of carbon monoxide in a selected space of concern and communicating with a remote monitoring device is provided. The sensing device comprises (a) a detection device configured to sense the presence of carbon monoxide in the selected space of concern, (b) a monitoring device remote from the detection device, for communicating information to an operator, and (c) the detector in circuit communication with the monitoring device, to transmit information from the detection device to the monitoring device that is related to carbon monoxide in the selected space. According to one preferred embodiment, the sensing device is designed for an aircraft. The remote monitoring device is the multifunctional display of the aircraft cockpit. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, a reset/retest actuator is connected with the multifunctional display, and is in circuit communication with the detection device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting high-voltage levels associated with a work machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage detection system is disclosed and includes a threshold detector configured to determine a voltage level associated with an element, determine whether the voltage level associated with the element is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and provide a threshold indicator if the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the predetermined threshold value. The system also includes a controller coupled to the threshold detector via an isolation device. The controller is configured to detect the threshold indicator and provide one or more warning signals in response to the threshold indicator.

Abstract: A system, that incorporates one or more enclosures constructed around one or more objects at which, “hot work” is to be performed at a facility at a first location containing flammable or combustible materials. The one or more enclosures are capable of being simultaneously and independently controlled and monitored by a single control and monitoring system which is capable of being in radio communication with a control system at a second, but remote, location.

Abstract: A security system comprising an attachment (1) for mounting on a wall top, having a first part (4) that is fixable to the wall and a second part (6) that is mounted for relative movement on said first part upon the application of a force thereto whereby movement of the second part generates a signal to activate a visual and/or audible alarm, the second part having at least one pair of opposing members (40a, 40b) for partially overlapping a side of the first part so as to retain the second part, the second part being sized so as to allow a limited range of movement with respect to said first part without its release therefrom.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for accurately determining the location and orientation of adevice in a vehicle are disclosed. The ability of a device to automatically determine its location in a vehicle by using images from a camera or distance measurements is provided. The images or distance measurements are compared to previously stored data, and an image recognition algorithm or pattern recognition algorithm is used to determine the closest match and the location of the device. The camera is also configured to rotate itself such that the camera lens is substantially aligned with the user interface of the device. Upon orienting itself in this manner, the camera is configured to capture an image which allows the device to determine which occupants of the vehicle are able to access the device. In other embodiments, the orientation of the device can be determined by determining the offset angle between a reference line and the user interface of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the proximity of personal articles. The system includes at least one wireless tracking device affixable to at least one portable article to be monitored, and two portable master wireless communication devices, a first master communication device that determines when the tracking device is outside of a first operating range, and a second master communication device that determines when the tracking device is outside a second operating range. The first master communication device and the second master communications devices are operable to communicate with each other to determine whether the first master communication device and the second master communication device are within a predetermined master range. At least one of the first master communication device and the second master communication device is operable to generate an alarm if the first master communications and the second master communication device are not within the predetermined master range.

Abstract: An emergency light system is located in the threshold subacjacent to the lower edge of an emergency egress door. The light system includes a plurality of lights mounted on a flexible backing strip in the threshold. The lights are connected to a switch that can be manually operated or operated by a sensor in a fire and/or smoke detection system associated with a room. The lights will be visible to a person crawling on the floor even if there is smoke in the room. The lights are easily installed in the threshold and will not be subject to abuse that might occur if the lights were mounted on the door itself.

Abstract: A computer-based method for voice alarming in measuring a workpiece is provided. The method includes the steps of: configuring message commands; configuring triggering events that execute the message commands; measuring the workpiece; detecting whether any predetermined event is triggered when the workpiece is being measured; and executing the message commands by invoking speech synthesizers if the corresponding triggering event is detected. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Transmitter housing to bottle attachment assembly where the housing can be removed and replaced from the attaching member. In a preferred embodiment, a bottle neck attachment platform includes outwardly extending longitudinal ribs that can slidably engage L shaped members located on the back of the housing. The platform also includes a semi-rigid tab having an aperture capable of receiving a protrusion located on the back side of the housing so that the housing can be removed after contents of the bottle is used up. The platform has an integral standard cable tie strap protruding from one side which can be inserted into a mating aperture located in the platform. The transmitter housing includes accommodation for either a mechanical switch or hall effects magnetic switch that engages with the surface of the bottle neck thereby turning the transmitter on.

Abstract: A panel instrument to be mounted in a panel board, including: a main body having an outside dimension applicable to a first and a second panel instrument size standards; a display provided on one end of the main body and having an area that occupies a part of a front face of the panel board and is applicable to the first panel instrument size standard; a front panel mounted on a front face of the display; and a rear panel for holding the display with the front panel, wherein the rear panel has: first mounting holes that are provided on one diagonal line of the rear panel and correspond to a mounting hole standard applicable to the second panel instrument size standard; and second mounting holes that are provided on the other diagonal line and correspond to a mounting hole standard applicable to a third panel instrument size standard.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal device which is not limited in the degree of freedom in terms of case design and which allows easy visual recognition of light emission for indicating a specific state even when it is carried in a chest pocket. The terminal device comprising: a stationary case (11); a movable case (13) provided on the stationary case (11) through the intermediation of a hinge (12) to allow opening and closing; and light emitting device (14) for indicating a specific state through light emission, in which the light emitting device (14) is provided at the hinge (12) side end of the stationary case (11) or the movable case (13).

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for a downhole communication in a well. The well has a metallic structure which includes an insulated metallic, fluid carrying, control line. The method comprises the steps of applying signals to the control line at a first location and extracting the signals from the control line at a second location. There is also provided a downhole communication system for use in a well having a metallic structure. The metallic structure includes an insulated metallic, fluid carrying, control line. The system comprises means for applying signals to the control line at a first location and means for extracting the signals from the control line at a second location. The control line acts as a signal channel. Other methods and apparatus making use of control line carrying no fluid and/or the metallic shielding of cable having insulated metallic shield are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a network protocol for utility services are disclosed are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises discovering a utility network, wherein a constant powered meter sends network discovery messages to find the utility network. Neighboring meters are discovered, wherein the constant powered meter sends hello messages periodically. The constant powered meter is registered with the utility network. Further, the battery powered meter finds and associates itself with a constant powered meter. The constant powered meter also registers its associate battery powered meter with the utility network. The constant powered meter sends a node registration message to the gateway of the utility network. The constant powered meter can sense outage problems with the gateway and the neighbors of its network, and search and migrate to an alternate network.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a logic and control circuit. The imaging sensor comprises a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements formed on a semiconductor substrate and is disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield. The logic and control circuit comprises an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output. The image sensing system detects lane markers on a road being traveled by the vehicle and present in the field of view of the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A portable vehicle position sensor and alert system comprises a portable limit point sensor configured to be positioned by the user in a position to receive at least one tire of the vehicle to be positioned thereon when the vehicle is in a desired position, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal when the tire is positioned thereon, and an audible and or visual alarm coupled to the sensor and actuated at least when the sensor generates the signal that the vehicle is in the desired position. A wireless configuration of the position and alert system is disclosed.

Abstract: Using signals available into an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), approach monitor systems and methods compare approach speed, approach angle and amount of tailwind/crosswind to the pre-selected envelopes. When the aircraft approach speed, approach angle, or tailwind/crosswind is greater than the pre-defined envelope, the approach monitor system generates an aural/visual advisory indicating the violation. The envelope is set as a function of “height above runway elevation”.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for indicating direction using a screen, wherein a pattern of relatively dark and relatively bright sections is moved over a screen, in a direction in which an observer is to be directed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for indicating information on a screen, comprising at least one screen and image information-generating means, wherein the image information-generating means comprise at least one algorithm for displaying, on said screen, at least one first image in the form of a moving pattern of first and second sections, wherein the first sections are relatively bright compared to the second sections, wherein the screen has longitudinal edges and said image information-generating means are preferably arranged for at least temporarily moving said pattern in the direction of at least one of the longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device having a keyboard has a cover plate acting as a dial keypad. The keypad has a push-through, hinge-spring design that activates only one of two keyboard keys underlying a dial key and allows backlighting transmissivity. A translucent material can be used to allow the keyboard key backlighting to be coupled through to a top dial key. The keypad creates an aesthetically balanced dial keypad arrangement over a QWERTY keyboard. A preferable mechanical implementation allows backlighting and has an offset contact and spring design to activate one of the two underlying keys. This activation simplifies the software implementation for executing the dial number since the signal is coming from one address rather than having to make a determination of whether it is coming from one or two addresses. Moreover, the resulting dial key press has a standard single click feel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of decoding systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, comprises a macroblock decode module configured to decode a plurality of context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) encoded symbols corresponding to a slice without processor intervention.

Abstract: A scalable quantizer is generated from a plurality of context models for each of a plurality of bit rates used in coding a source. A context model for a lower bit rate quantizes conditioning states when there is no compression gain in coding the image using child conditioning states in the higher bit rate context model over a parent conditioning state to which they may be quantized. The scalable quantizer includes a basic context model for a lowest anticipated bit rate and enhancement bits indicating how to adapt the basic context model to derive context models for higher bit rates. For image data transformed with embedded wavelet coding, context events are selected from corresponding or neighboring pixels at different resolutions and in different bit planes, and the order of the context events is optimized to reduce conditional entropy between the context events and the current value.

Abstract: An absolute position detector for accurately reading a code recorded on an absolute track is provided. Output signals from sensors that read a code recorded on an absolute track are input into a binarization processor. A compensator provided within the binarization processor functions to correct and determine the value of a read target bit based on an output signal from a read sensor which is the sensor located closest to the center of the one-bit width of the read target bit, and an output signal from a compensation sensor, which is a sensor separated from the read sensor by a distance within the range from ?/2 to 3·?/2.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for creating and editing a master block definition for a dynamic block, and manipulating a block instantiation of a dynamic block are described. One or more data structures that can be used to implement a dynamic block feature are described.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive sigma-delta modulation. The system includes a input stage that produces a difference signal representing the difference between an analog input signal x(n) and a analog feedback signal z(n), the amplitude of the analog input signal x(n) within a first range [?a, +a]. An accumulator stage produces a accumulated signal that is a function of an accumulation of the difference signal, the accumulator stage transforming the accumulation of the difference signal so as to increase average magnitude while ensuring instantaneous magnitude does not exceed a predetermined value. A quantization stage produces a quantized digital signal y0(n) representing the accumulated signal. Based on the quantized digital signal y0(n), a adaptation stage produces a digital output signal z0(n), which is converted to the analog feedback signal z(n) by a digital-to-analog converter stage.

Abstract: A digital/analog converting apparatus and digital/analog converter is disclosed. The digital/analog converter includes an operational amplifier, a first filter, a first switch, a second filter, a number of conversion units and a second switch. The operational amplifier has an output terminal, an inverse-phase input terminal and a non-inverse-phase input terminal, and the non-inverse-phase input terminal is coupled to a reference voltage. The first filter has one end coupled to the output terminal and the other end coupled to the inverse-phase input terminal. The second filter has one end coupled to the output terminal via the first switch and the other end coupled to the inverse-phase input terminal. Each of the conversion units includes a capacitor. The second switch is coupled between the inverse-phase input terminal and the conversion units, and the conversion units are connected in parallel between the second switch and the output terminal.

Abstract: Binary indications are converted to an analog representation with significant reduction in ringing at the transitions between successive binary indications and in the period during each binary indication. The binary indications are disposed in a row-and-column matrix to provide a thermometer code. Each stage of the converter includes a decoder and latch arranged so the decoder inputs settle before the latch is set by the clock pulses. The stages are implemented in complementary CMOS. Complementary transistors are biased so one transistor of the pair is driven to the rail while the other transistor of the pair floats. A dummy CMOS transistor is used to balance the number of transistors in the decoder paths.

Abstract: The method and apparatus use two inequalities to determine whether an estimated value obtained from conventional method and a correct value obtained from ideal conversion is identical. When those values are the same, the estimated value is not corrected; otherwise, according to the difference between those values, one is added or subtracted from the estimated value to obtain the correct result.

Abstract: A multiplexing circuit uses parallel-configured switch/resistor pairs in a voltage divider network in such a way that a single analog-to-digital input can be used to specify the state of more than one switch or other component. One circuit includes a reference voltage node, a ground node, and an output node, wherein a switched voltage divider network is configured such that the voltage at the output node is unique for every given combination of switch states.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for converting an analog input value to an output digital code are described. A system includes a first internal analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive the analog input value and to convert it to a first digital code; a first internal digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convert the first digital code to a first analog value; a first linearization module configured to receive the first digital code and to produce a first linear-correction code that is approximately equal to the first analog value; a second internal ADC configured to convert a remainder portion of the analog input value to a second digital code; and an accumulator configured to combine the first linear-correction code and the second digital code to produce the output digital code.

Abstract: ADC circuitry has a first programmable gain amplifier to amplify an analog input, a first analog to digital converter coupled to an output of the first amplifier, a second programmable gain amplifier, to amplify the analog input, a second analog to digital converter coupled to an output of the second amplifier, and a digital circuit for deriving a digital output from the outputs of the first and second converters and a controller for controlling the gains of the first and second amplifiers, according to the outputs of the first and second converters. Such programmable gain pre amplifiers help enable effective dynamic range to be extended without unduly increasing the number of quantisation bits, or the number of components or the power dissipation. It can be used in applications sensitive to size and power, such as DSP based acoustic devices including hearing aids.

Abstract: A low-power, high-dynamic range, analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion circuit for converting an analog signal to a digital signal having a controllable amplifier for amplifying the analog log signal received at an input of the amplifier in response to a first control signal and for generating an amplified analog signal, a low dynamic range A/D converter for converting the amplified analog signal to an intermediary digital signal, a controllable bit shift register for scaling the intermediary digital signal in response to a second control signal to generate the digital signal, and a gain control component (AGC) for generating the first control signal to cause the amplified analog signal to be within the dynamic range of the A/D converter and for generating the second control signal to cause the scaling to compensate for the amplification by the amplifier.

Abstract: In a TAD (Time Analog-to-Digital) type of A/D converter in which delay units of a pulse delay circuit successively transfer a pulse signal during each of successive measurement intervals, with each delay unit applying an amount of delay determined by an analog input signal voltage, it is ensured that each new measurement interval begins as soon as the pulse delay circuit has become restored to an initialized condition after the preceding measurement interval. Output values expressing the number of delay units traversed by the pulse signal during a measurement interval are used directly as digital values representing the analog input signal voltage level.

Abstract: In a time-interleaved AD converter which combines together low-speed high-resolution AD converters for effective high speed operation, various deterioration factors possessed by each of the converters, including DC offset, conversion gain error, sampling timing error, and a frequency characteristic, need to be compensated. The compensation is performed through nonlinear filter operation in which a constant term is added to linear filter operation. A high-speed low-resolution AD converter is separately used, and through adaptive signal processing in which an output signal thereof is defined as an instruction signal, a compensation coefficient is calculated. In this condition, the compensation can be performed without the influence of quantization noise attributable to the high-speed low-resolution AD converter.

Abstract: In a pipelined analog to digital converter with multiple stages of sub-converters, capacitor mismatch error can be reduced by splitting the capacitors into multiple numbers and randomly selecting part of the split capacitors as feedback capacitors. The selection of feedback capacitors can be made according to a digital output, clock phase, stage number of the sub-converter or the combination thereof. The approach of the present invention can be applied to the most significant bit (MSB) stage for a pipelined ADC. Moreover, a method for implementing the same is also proposed.

Abstract: An analog circuit architecture with dual gate oxides and dual voltage supplies and associated method is provided. In the analog circuit architecture, different kinds of devices/transistors with different gate oxide thicknesses are powered by different voltages, such that advantages of each device technology are mixed to enhance total performance of the analog circuit. For example, thin gate oxide 0.18 um transistors are powered by 1.8V for high speed and low power consumption, whereas thick gate oxide 0.35 um transistors are powered by 3.3V for a wider signal swing range.

Abstract: A quantum Turing machine constituted using a quantum bit created by localizing a phase difference soliton S between superconducting electrons existing in each of multiple of bands in a ring R0 that includes a ring main body R1 formed of a superconductor, and well-shaped portions W1, W2 formed with a reduced line-width at at least two positions on the ring main body R1, can easily constitute a quantum bit, can surely execute a basic logical operation, has multiple-bit capability and, moreover, can ensure sufficient time for executing a quantum algorithm.

Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector includes technology for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver will take on a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving a first set of data for a plurality of aircraft landings at an airport, receiving a second set of data corresponding to the plurality of aircraft landings at the airport, the second set of data being received from a passive radar data source and comparing the first set of data to the second set of data to generate rules for analyzing additional data received from the passive radar data source. Also, a system and method for receiving passive data for an aircraft, receiving actual data for the aircraft, comparing the passive data to the actual data based on a set of rules and assigning a confidence level to the passive data based on the comparison.

Abstract: A radar signal processor has means for outputting a predetermined observation signal from a reflected wave caught by an array element, means for extracting an observation signal component concerning a target from the observation signal, means for computing a sample correlation matrix showing a correlation characteristic between the observation means which is a sample value of a correlation matrix from the observation signal components, means for estimating power of the reflected wave from the sample correlation matrix, and an array response matrix which is comprised of response vectors of the reflected waves, and means for selecting the reflected wave in a predetermined arrival direction power of which is to be estimated and a reflected wave in an azimuth adjacent to the arrival direction of the reflected wave and for computing and determining the array response matrix as an adjacent azimuth array response matrix, having only these reflected waves as elements in order to estimate the power of the reflected wa

Abstract: A system and method are provided to reduce the effect of an interfering signal in a radar return signal for a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar. Once the interfering signal is detected, an extent of the interfering signal is determined and the data that was corrupted by the interfering signal is not included in the processing of the radar return signal. This allows the radar to detect a target in the presence of the interfering signal. The system and method can benefit any FMCW radar that is within the range of an interfering radar source (e.g. another FMCW radar, a police radar gun, a pulse radar, etc.) operating in the same frequency band as the FMCW radar. An alternative arrangement provides a system and method for determining the frequency of the interfering signal and then avoiding transmitting power in that portion of the frequency spectrum where the interfering signal is present.

Abstract: Heretofore, a plurality of packages were used in a high frequency module in which a plurality of waveguide terminals were positioned resulting in problems, such as degradation of characteristics in the connection lines between packages, lower ease of assembly when mounting and connecting the connection lines, increased cost, and so forth. To solve these problems, a plurality of cavities having a part or the entire side metallized is formed in a multi-layer dielectric substrate. The multi-layer dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of waveguide terminals, microstrip line-waveguide converters, RF lines, bias and control signal wiring, and bias and control signal pads. A high frequency circuit is mounted within the cavity and sealed with a seal and cover. This is intended to reduce the number of package, improve performance, improve fabrication, and lower the cost.

Abstract: Three new methods are presented to improve floating solutions and ambiguity resolution for multiple global satellite navigation systems (GNSS), one of which may be an FDMA-based GNSS such as GLONASS: (1) modeling of the hardware-related differential clock error between two (or more) different GNSS, (2) modeling the frequency-dependent biases present in frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) GNSS, and (3) an ambiguity resolution method called Scoreboard Partial Fixing (SPF). The methods presented are independent of the number of carrier frequencies tracked for each satellite navigation system. Their application results in quicker and more reliable ambiguity resolution. The benefits of combining observations of multiple GNSS are exploited in a very efficient way, in contrast to known algorithms which often result in degraded performance with multiple GNSS. The frequency-dependent bias method has been found effective with GNSS observations from a combination of substantially dissimilar hardware, e.g.

Abstract: A global positioning receiver unit utilizes a temperature compensated oscillator and a unit controller. The temperature compensated oscillator generates a clock signal, and the unit controller is configured to track GPS time based on the clock signal while the receiver unit is in a sleep state. The unit controller is further configured to perform a position fix based on a satellite signal and the GPS time tracked by the unit controller.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a geolocation of an object includes collecting a positioning signal including a predetermined message data segment. A time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined in the positioning signal. Information based on the time of arrival may be provided for determination of a geolocation of an object. The time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined based on a time search for the predetermined message data segment in the positioning signal.

Abstract: A method and system for discrete location triggering for enhanced asset management and tracking. The system includes an electronic discrete location tracking device affixed to the discrete location and configured to transmit a signal from the discrete location. The system also includes an electronic location trigger processing module to receive and process the signal transmitted by the discrete location tracking device into a location communication signal, wherein the electronic location trigger processing module is affixed to an asset whose discrete location and information are to be managed. The system also includes a remote client computer system operatively connected to the electronic location trigger processing module for exchanging information over a computer network.

Abstract: A method for providing location assistance information to a mobile station of a communications network is discussed. Visibilities of a plurality of satellites of a satellite positioning system with respect to the mobile station are estimated. A group of said plurality of satellites with the best estimated visibilities with respect to the mobile station is selected, and location assistance information relating to at least said group of satellites is sent to the mobile station.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to determine the location of an emitter of electromagnetic radiation, such as an RF signal emitter having an unknown location, using at least two electromagnetic radiation sensor antennas that are co-located on a single sensing platform in combination with at least one other electromagnetic radiation sensor antenna located on another sensing platform.

Abstract: A technique for reducing radio frequency signal navigation errors in systems such as Loran-C and the like, comprising the use of an orthogonally crossed pair of antenna windings on a ferrite cross, tuned to the carrier radio frequency to generate from the received signals both in-phase and quadrature circulating current components, and providing for the eliminating only of the quadrature current components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna structure comprising a dielectric pellet and a dielectric substrate with upper and lower surfaces and at least one groundplane, wherein the dielectric pellet is elevated above the upper surface of the dielectric substrate such that the dielectric pellet does not directly contact the dielectric substrate or the groundplane, and wherein the dielectric pellet is provided with a conductive direct feed structure. A radiating antenna component is additionally provided and arranged so as to be excited by the dielectric pellet. Elevating the dielectric antenna component so that it does not directly contact the groundplane or the dielectric substrate significantly improves bandwidth of the antenna as a whole.

Abstract: A planar antenna includes a dielectric substrate, first and second radiating elements, a feeding strip, and a grounding unit. The first radiating element is formed on the dielectric substrate. The second radiating element is formed on the dielectric substrate and is connected to the first radiating element. The feeding strip is formed on the dielectric substrate and extends from the second radiating element. The grounding unit is formed on the dielectric substrate, is physically disconnected from the first and second radiating elements and the feeding strip, and includes a pair of grounding elements that are physically disconnected from each other and that are disposed on opposite sides of the feeding strip.

Abstract: A system comprising at least one antenna and a circuit, wherein the circuit is at least in part not a semiconductor chip or a die. The at least one antenna and the circuit are arranged on a package. Alternatively described is a system comprising at least one antenna and at least one circuit, wherein the at least one antenna and the at least one circuit are arranged on a package, wherein the at least one circuit performs a radio-frequency and optionally a base-band and/or a digital functionality.