Abstract: A modular vehicle key device system for controlling vehicle access and operation. The device is formed by joining at least two separable modules, a first key device module containing vehicle access and/or operation authorizing elements, such as a keyless entry transmitter and/or an ignition key, and a module for off-vehicle storage of personal adjustment settings and/or other data. With each use of the modular key device, the data in the storage module is transferred to the vehicle to ensure the operator's settings and information are always present. Separating the storage module from the key device module allows others to operate the vehicle while ensuring the operator's personal data cannot be lost. Separation also enables easy transfer of an operator's settings to a like vehicle. Other embodiments allow the operator to allow vehicle operation by others, such as valets, while limiting use of individual vehicle components, such as radios.

Abstract: A communication system with at least one controller and a plurality of nodes provides a procedure to enable the controller to connect and send messages to individual nodes to establish and maintain a communication link. The controller further receives an indication from the node when termination of receipt of a message from the controller by the node has occurred. The controller transmits connection information to a node to establish a communication path over which the controller can transmit a message to the node when the controller has information to send. A communication message can be sent by the controller, for example, when a node wanders into its control area to enable a communication link to be established.

Abstract: A power and data delivery system for a machine. The system includes a conductor located throughout at least a portion of the machine for delivering power, a plurality of nodes, each connected to the conductor at a respective location, and a plurality of devices, each connected to a corresponding node. At least one node controls the delivery of power and data by way of a message containing a unique identifier for that one node.

Abstract: There is provide a mobile radio apparatus capable of suppressing a mismatching loss, and increasing a transmission/reception sensitivity by means of instantly and adaptively matching the impedance between the antenna and the transmission/reception circuit whatever situation a mobile radio apparatus, such as a mobile phone or the like, may be. In a mobile radio apparatus (1), when starting control of the matching circuit (102), a control section (105) evaluates an initial chromosome stored in a storage section (106), and if there is an initial chromosome for providing an impedance matching, controls the matching circuit (102) so as to have a load value corresponding to this initial chromosome. If there is no initial chromosome for providing the impedance matching, the control section (105) evolves the initial chromosome with a genetic algorithm, derives a chromosome for providing the impedance matching, and controls the matching circuit (102) so as to have a load value corresponding to the derived chromosome.

Abstract: In a building fire alarm system, the light strobes of a network of strobes are synchronized to flash simultaneously. Each strobe has a charging circuit to charge a capacitor which discharges through a flash tube. Once a capacitor is charged, the charging circuit is disabled. A synchronization pulse is applied through common power lines to trigger discharge of each strobe capacitor through the flash tube followed by recharging of the capacitor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for operating a vehicle provided, in particular, in the form of a farming or industrial utility vehicle. The device comprises a grip (12) that can be rigidly mounted on a console of the vehicle. The grip (12) is designed in such a manner that enables it to be at least partially grasped by an operator's hand or is suited for being at least partially reached into by an operator's hand. The grip (12) comprises operational controls (18, 20, 22), with which at leas one function of the vehicle and/or one function of an implement that can be optionally adapted to the vehicle can be controlled. The aim of the invention is to resolve ergonometric problems during operation. To this end, a display unit (24) assigned to the grip (12) is provided that can be mounted in a manner that permits it to be displaced relative to the grip (12).

Abstract: A visual driving aid secured or projected onto a portion of the windshield of a vehicle which allows the vehicle operator to determine and project the wheel path of the vehicle in the advance road surface, the visual driving aid being an indicia on the windshield in front of the driver, the positioning or projection of the indicia taking into account the sight characteristics of the individual user so as to allow the user to determine and project the wheel path of the vehicle while in motion in order to aid the user in the avoidance of hazardous situations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibratory warning device attachable to a structural element (2) such as a vehicle seat and including vibratory means (3,4,5) for generating mechanical vibration in response to a control signal, and attachment means (7,8,9) for securing the vibratory means (3,4,5) to a portion (6) of the structural element (2), characterized in that the attachment means comprise a resilient element (8) defining a gap (11) with an opening into which said portion (6) of the structural element (2) can be inserted in order to attach the device by clamping the resilient element (8) against said portion (6) of the structural element. The invention further relates to a seat provided with said device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing hours of service management. A method is provided that operates to provide advisements to a vehicle operator. The method includes receiving a status message in a transmission from a vehicle, wherein the status message comprises a status parameter, and determining a compliance indicator associated with the status parameter, wherein the compliance indicator is selected from confirmation, violation, and threshold indicators. The method also includes generating an advisement message based on the compliance indicator, and transmitting the advisement message to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for satellite aided vehicle monitoring. Tire pressure, mileage, and tachometer/speedometer information are generated by sensors that are affixed to different parts of a truck/trailer. Measurement data taken by the sensors is reported to a mobile terminal affixed to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor data is transmitted to the mobile terminal using wireless communication. The mobile terminal transmits reports, which can include sensor information and position information, to a remote location via a communications satellite.

Abstract: A signaling device for displaying and/or issuing warning and/or informational alerts in vehicles via visual and/or acoustic signal sources is described, direction-related information being supplied to the driver based on an available signal, e.g., from a collision avoidance system, and this information relates to an event associated with a specific object regarding which the warning is to be issued.

Abstract: An illuminated motorcycle fairing element is provided. In one embodiment, a trim element shaped as an elongated member is sized to fit adjacent to a motorcycle fairing and a motorcycle windshield. A plurality of light elements is coupled to the trim element, and at least one electrical connector communicates with at least one of the plurality of light elements. The electrical connector is structured to couple to a motorcycle wiring harness that provides electricity to illuminate the light elements. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system to convey user alert messages is disclosed. The system may have a alert service coupled between alert providers and a number of households. After receiving in the alert service an alert message from an alert provider, the alert service may alter the alert message to identify the household designated to receive the alert message. The alert service sends a notification to a home media system within the household designated to receive the alert message.

Abstract: An intrusion detection device and method in an IP connected security system is disclosed. An intrusion detection device is coupled to primary and secondary communication devices of a security system so that when a Internet attack is detected, communication between the security system and a central monitoring station occurs over the secondary communication device rather than the primary communication device. The invention preserves communication between the security system and the central monitoring station even when a denial of service type attack is occurring so that physical premise security is uncompromised.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized, event-triggered messages in response to emergency events, such as natural disasters and man-made events. The methods and systems provide a set of messages related to responding to the emergency event and a set of rules relating to the distribution of the messages, receive an indication that the emergency event has occurred, and in response to the indication, transmit at least one of the messages to at least one message receiver based at least in part on at least one attribute of the message receiver to at least one of instruct and inform recipients of the messages of the emergency event and the action to be taken in response to the emergency event.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for indicating a masking event using transmission wiring delegated for indicating intrusion and tampering events. The method of indicating a masking event utilizes measurable changes in resistance to indicate the current masking state of a detector. When a detector is not masked, a first resistance value is measurable on the transmission wiring, while when a detector is masked, a second resistance value is measurable on the transmission wiring. The transmission wiring connects the detector to a control unit that executes a security-related response based on the value of the measured resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile storage unit for use within a mobile storage unit system that includes an environmental monitoring system on the storage unit. The monitoring system includes one or more sensors disposed on one or more of the mobile storage units that are configured to sense a particular environmental condition in the environment surrounding the mobile storage unit. The sensors are each operably connected to a controller associated with the mobile storage system that is capable of receiving signals from the sensors and analyzing the signals to determine the presence or absence of the environmental condition to be sensed by the sensors. If the condition is present, the controller can transmit an alert signal to an alarm system or to a separate notification device, such as a telephone or computer terminal, in order to alert an individual or the appropriate authorities to the presence of the hazardous environmental condition in the vicinity of the mobile storage system.

Abstract: A system enables safe and prompt communication in case of accident or fire. Detecting an emergency event, detection device 10 transmits emergency event information to each floor device 30 and to monitoring center device 40. Upon receipt of emergency event information, each of floor devices 30 and monitoring center device 40 display at least emergency event information and a point(s) of emergency contact. Each of floor devices 30 and monitoring center device 40 display image information taken by camera 20 related to the detection device which has detected the emergency event. Each of floor devices 30 and monitoring center device 40 may have call with the point(s) of emergency contact when the point(s) of emergency contact displayed is touched. In the call with the point(s) of emergency contact, each of the floor devices 30 and the monitoring center device 40 transmit the image information displayed to the point(s) of emergency contact.

Abstract: A multi-mode asset tracking and monitoring system and method is provided that enables comprehensive reporting of asset position, status, and alerts. In one embodiment, the multi-mode system and method is based on the addition of a local network monitoring system to a wide area satellite network monitoring system. In this example, the local network monitoring system would add container presence and status monitoring in crowded environments (e.g., within a port facility, on-board a ship, etc.), while the wide area satellite network monitoring system would provide tracking and monitoring coverage when the container is in dispersed environments. Both the local and wide area monitoring systems work together to provide end-to-end container tracking and monitoring to thereby ensure continuous container tracking and monitoring from container loading to container unloading.

Abstract: A monitored voltage inverter for a security system is disclosed. A voltage inverter is coupled to the power supply of the control panel which can provide AC power to the network hardware devices. The voltage inverter converts the DC voltage of a back-up power supply to household or commercial AC current. In a preferred embodiment, the voltage inverter is mounted on the printed circuit board and is coupled to the network hardware devices.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to facilitate the entry of a new type of sensor node and the adoption of a new protocol in the existing sensor network system effectively utilizing limited resources of radiocommunication. To achieve the object, the following are provided. A sensor node has a radiocommunication unit that transmits a measured value sensed by a sensor and an identifier of a sensor node as binary measured data. A base station has a radiocommunication controller that receives the measured data from the sensor node, a wire communication controller that transmits the received measured data to a server, a conversion definition information selector that selects conversion definition information corresponding to the identifier included in the measured data out of preset plural conversion definition information and a conversion engine that converts the binary measured data to measured data in a text format based upon the selected conversion definition information.

Abstract: A hospital bed has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data. A surface supported by the bed has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly surface status data. The wireless communication circuitry of the hospital bed and the wireless communication circuitry of the surface communicate with a network independently. A hospital bed with an integrated surface has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data and surface status data. The wireless bed status data and the wireless surface status data are received by wireless access points of a network of a healthcare facility.

Abstract: In a network comprising a plurality of electronic devices, a processor for use in locating one or more remote control devices, each remote device comprising a transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals, each of the electronic devices having a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted by each of the one or more remote device, the processor comprising: means configured to receive signal information from the electronic devices, the signal information relating to signals transmitted by at least one of the one or more remote devices, as received the respective terminal; means for determining a positional measurement from the received signal information; and means for estimating a location of the at least one remote device, using the positional measurement or measurements.

Abstract: A missing hole detector to detect a missing or misplaced hole in a (e.g., sheet metal) workpiece. The missing hole detector is preferably located at a punching station within the upper turret of a CNC punch press. A pushing force generated during the downstroke of a ram causes a test probe of the missing hole detector to move towards the workpiece under test. A switching circuit connected to a transmitter is responsive to the movement of the test probe. If the test probe is moved into a hole so as to penetrate the workpiece, the switching circuit is opened and the transmitter is disabled. If the test probe is otherwise moved into contact with but fails to penetrate the workpiece because a hole is absent or misplaced, the switching circuit is closed and the transmitter is energized. The transmitter now transmits a stream of data by way of an RF wireless communication path to a receiver.

Abstract: An identification (ID) tag, in one exemplary embodiment of the invention, includes a motion sensor that generates a trigger signal upon sensing motion. The trigger signal is used to place the ID tag in either an active mode or a sleep mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interrogator, method of discerning metal and radio frequency identification (RFID) objects, and an interrogation system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a metal sensing subsystem configured to provide a first signal having a signature representing a presence of a metal object, and a RFID sensing subsystem configured to provide a second signal having a signature representing a presence of a RFID object. The interrogator also includes a control and processing subsystem configured to discern a presence of at least one of the metal and RFID objects from one of the first and second signals.

Abstract: Methods of operation of a data reader and security tag deactivation system whereby a data reader such as a barcode scanner is equipped with EAS deactivation coils or modules disposed in the vicinity of the read volume or generally proximate thereto and the system is operable to permit reading of the ID tag (such as the barcode label) on an item, and upon a successful read, the deactivation unit is operable to (1) sense the presence of an EAS tag; (2) if presence of an EAS tag is sensed, energize the deactivation coil/module to deactivate the EAS tag; and (3) sense if the EAS tag is deactivated. If the EAS tag is sensed to have been deactivated, the system signals as such and a next item may be scanned. If the EAS tag is sensed to have not been deactivated, the system proceeds to alternate operational steps to handle the exception.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a Radio Frequency ID (RFID) tag that contains multiple Radio Frequency (RF) network nodes that provide enhanced memory capabilities, redundant functionality, and multiple frequency capabilities to the RFID tag using an inter-RF network node communication connection. The inter-RF network node communication may allow the coordination of RFID tag memory and functionality.

Abstract: An RFID smart label includes a plurality of layers, wherein one of the plurality of layers is an RFID inlay with a depression/recession region for holding the RFID chip/strap so that it does not extend above the surface of the antenna. The depressed/recessed region can have substantially the same depth as the thickness of the RFID chip/strap. High speed printing processes are then used to economically print labels on the RFID inlays having the RFID chip/strap embedded because there are no bumps to impede the printing process.

Abstract: An electronic unit, especially for detecting living organisms, comprising a transmitting antenna (3a) and a receiving antenna (3b) connected through a coupling block (3) to a reference oscillator (1) for creating reference electromagnetic field, and to a recording oscillator (2) for recording the values of the electromagnetic field emitted by a living organism, wherein the reference oscillator (1) is connected to a converter f/U1 (4) for measuring and changing frequency of the reference oscillator (1) to a voltage necessary for feedback check of the reference frequency, and to an analogue block (7) for measuring variation of the reference oscillator voltage; the recording oscillator (2) is connected to a converter f/U2 (5) for measuring and changing frequency from the detecting oscillator (2) to a voltage necessary for checking the received frequency; converter f/U1 (4), analogue block (7), detecting oscillator (2) and converter f/U2 (5) are connected to a digital block (6) for recording, controlling, surveil

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating cues from a music director to one or more musicians includes a transmitter unit having a housing, a transmitter controller disposed in the housing, and a plurality of input devices operably coupled to the transmitter controller. At least one transmitter is operably coupled to the controller, and the controller is capable of sensing actuation of an input device selected from the plurality of input devices and operating the transmitter to send a cue signal associated with the input device. At least one receiver unit is provided including a housing, a receiver controller disposed in the housing, a receiver operably coupled to the receiver controller and adapted to receive the cue signal, and a plurality of visual indicators operably coupled to the controller. The receiver controller is adapted to activate a visual indicator selected from the plurality of visual indicators that corresponds to the cue signal.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for tracking the geographic location. In one aspect, a method includes receiving timed magnetic field information descriptive of a magnetic field to which a magnetometer was subject, the magnetic field information having been collected while the magnetometer was associated with an animal, receiving timed longitude information descriptive of a longitude position of the animal, the longitude information having been collected while the magnetometer was associated with the animal, and matching the longitude information that is relevant to a first time to the magnetic field information that is relevant to the first time to determine a geographic location of the animal at the first time.

Abstract: A car-used lock with alerting function comprises a lock installed with a sensor, a buzzer and a transmitter; a receiving control device for receiving signals from the transmitter; the receiving control device being installed with a receiver, a decoder, a microprocessor, an indicator, leaning keys, a dialing control wire and a power source; a car-used handset connected to the receiving control device and having a battery. The receiver serves to transfer the high frequency signals emitted from the transmitter into digital signals. The decoder serves to transfer the digital signals into codes. The microprocessor serves to compare the codes with the built-in data. The lock has the affect of immediate alert and communication with legal frequency bands and power. The power source is from the car used handset. Furthermore, two sets of quick dialing numbers are used so that the line busy of the car owner can be avoided.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network will be used to detect the location of subsurface infrastructures such as a pipeline. The objective is to alert the infrastructure operator and the construction equipment operator of the threat of damage to the infrastructure. Currently the equipment operator has to depend on the color marks made by the locater sent by the One-Call center. The low cost wireless sensor network will alert the operator when the machine tool gets close to an existing utility. A combination of radio frequency signal, ultrasonic pulse, and acoustic signals is used to determine the infrastructure location. A sensor network is then used to map the infrastructure location with respect to the construction equipment operator and provide a reliable, accurate system to alert the operator of the potential danger.

Abstract: An anti-miss alarm system, method, and a shoe supporting the anti-miss alarm is provided. The anti-miss alarm method receives a radio signal emitted from a portable article having an interface for a wireless personal area network (WPAN), extracts channel status information from the radio signal, calculates a relative distance from the portable article based on the channel status information, and outputs alarm signals in a stepwise manner according to the relative distance. A mobile terminal includes an interface of a WPAN, a control unit, and an output unit. The interface receives radio signals emitted from a portable article having a similar interface. The control unit extracts channel status information from the radio signals and estimates a relative distance from the portable article based on the channel status information. The output unit controllably outputs alarm signals in a stepwise manner according to the relative distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash lamp for rescue at sea that is useful for a rescue of the distressed at sea, and in particular to a flash lamp for rescue at sea that includes a flash lamp capable of emitting flashlights, a metal air battery that uses seawater as electrolyte, a circuit for connecting the flash lamp and the metal air battery, and a assembled structure that includes the flash lamp and the metal air battery.

Abstract: According to a remote control device of the present invention, the operation situation according to the transmission of the remote control signal is judged based on a changing brightness of the image, and the information of the content according to the result of judgment is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to investigate a reaction of the apparatus to be controlled to the remote control signal, and visually indicate the reaction to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring utility meter status, and transmitting a status message via an output device in communication with a universal communications interface in the event that the utility meter status meets a predetermined condition. The voltage level of a utility meter is monitored through a voltage input interface. A digital signal representing the voltage level is transmitted to a microprocessor. The microprocessor monitors the digital signal for a predetermined condition. Once a predetermined condition is met, the microprocessor transmits a status message to a universal communications interface connected to at least one output device. The status message is converted to the signal format employed by the output device and the converted status message is passed to the output device. The output device may then transmit the status message to a remote receiver.

Abstract: A large size vandal and weather resistance sign, capable of displaying images from several components, including a video cassette with tapes or video disc and other component parts for broadcasting command directions and to provide information. The sign system, with a front and back side and a left and a right side is securely enclosed with a top side and a bottom side. The frame's materials include aluminum steel and vandal resisting and weather resisting plastics for the left and right sides and plastic sheet coverings for the for the front and back side door panels. In the event of a power outage, batteries ensures a power source for the system: it also remain constant in providing power for the sidewinder gun devices, sensors, receivers, timers and other devices, that include surveillance camera, transmitters and relay devices.

Abstract: An electronic parking meter and vehicle detecting sensor for providing the electronic parking meter with the ability to reliably detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in any existing corresponding parking space, without the need to enter payment into the parking meter by an individual.

Abstract: A system and method for generating predictive alerts, such as imminent arrival alerts is disclosed. This invention utilizes the location determination capabilities of GPS-enabled phones and other devices to overcome a common problem: waiting. The capability to determine the position of an object, such as a vehicle, in real time, is coupled with information about its projected route to create predictive alerts. For example, knowing a bus route and its present location, the algorithms of the present invention predict when that bus will arrive at a subsequent stop. Having made this determination, bus riders, who board at this subsequent stop, are alerted to the imminent arrival of the bus at their bus stop. Similar algorithms can be employed for other types of vehicles, such as delivery or repair trucks, and airport transportation.

Abstract: Provided is a single repository for capturing, connecting, sharing, and visualizing information based on a geographic location, for example. Detailed information can be dynamically rendered as a function of a user parameter, which can include a user demographic, a user profile, and a user preference information. Map information and advertisements displayed in conjunction with the map information can be dynamically rendered as a function of a user advertising preference. If a user prefers one product over another product, a first advertisement for the less preferred product can be replaced with a second advertisement for the preferred product.

Abstract: Methods, servers, and navigation devices are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes receiving information from a navigation device at a server, the navigation device being connected to the server via a network connection established at least one of through a mobile device and via mobile phone technology within the navigation device; and pushing information relating to the received information, via at least one push channel over a network connection, from the server to a plurality of navigation devices connected to the server.

Abstract: A character input method of a portable terminal includes detecting a pressing of a character button; determining if the detected character button is pressed together with a select button; and inputting a character corresponding to the select button among characters assigned to the detected character button according to an alphabet input mode when the detected character button is pressed together with the select button.

Abstract: A method and system for spread spectrum encoding and decoding of data is disclosed relying on a look-up table. A stream of bits are received for being one of encoded and decoded. The bits are segmented into words of a predetermined size. For each word, a value is determined from a look-up table. Optionally the look-up table is sequential in nature allowing for each word to be indexed within a different sequential look-up table from a plurality of sequential look-up tables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a signal in a signal reception apparatus of a communication system is provided. The signal reception method includes receiving a signal, and decoding the received signal using a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) decoding scheme according to the number of quantization bits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system to reduce the area and power dissipation in digital filters or multipliers Compared to radix-4 Booth coding the proposed method reduces the number of partial products by one, if the input signal has certain limits on its range. One exemplary application is echo cancellation in a full duplex pulse amplitude modulation system with 10 levels (PAM-10). Echo cancellation may be achieved by calculating a digital replica of the echo from the transmission channel. The replica signal may be calculated in a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, which multiplies the transmitted signal with estimates of the echo coefficients of the transmission channel The replica signal may be subtracted from the received signal to create an echo-free receive signal. The disclosed method may reduce the number of partial products between the PAM-10 transmit signal and each echo coefficient from three, when radix-4 Booth coding is used, to two.

Abstract: A coding/decoding system and method are disclosed. Coding, as used herein, refers assigning values to cells. Information to be coded is processed stepwise in information pieces, with bitwise processing (single information bits as information pieces) as a special case. According to an illustrative embodiment, bitwise coding/decoding is disclosed. A predefined structure called a configuration is known to both the coding and decoding systems. The configuration includes a step configuration for each coding step. A step configuration is: 1) a distinction of two subsets of cells, one called inversion cells, the other called non inversion cells; 2) an assignment of at least one cell tuple consisting of at least one inversion cell and one non inversion cell each, where, for these tuples, for any preceding step configuration the tuple cells are either all inversion cells or all non inversion cells. For coding, in each step, its inversion cells are XORed with the information bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering a clock from a run-length-coded data stream, said method making it possible for a phase-locked loop to lock in a rapid manner, and also to a circuit for implementing the method. An inventive method for recovering a clock from a run-length-coded data stream comprises the steps of: ascertaining the distribution of symbol lengths in the data stream for a chosen clock period; determining the deviation of the maxima of the distribution of symbol lengths from integer multiples of the chosen clock period; and regulating the chosen clock period on the basis of the deviation determined.

Abstract: A major drawback to the proliferation of RFIDs in, for example, a retail environment, is that patrons are wary of how much information about them will be transmitted to a proprietor, and how that information will be used. Such privacy concerns are seen as one of the biggest hindrances to the ubiquity of RFIDs in many environments. Additionally, patrons will have an overwhelming amount of information transmitted to their devices containing RFIDs. To address these privacy concerns, the invention includes a device, a system, and a method for transmitting a personal profile includes: a memory containing a personal profile; a personal profile selection component; and a transmitter for transmitting a signal, the signal including at least one subset of the personal profile selected using the personal profile selection component.