Abstract: A cargo reminder for a driver of a vehicle includes an accelerometer, a controller to detect an acceleration change in the vehicle based on output signals from the accelerometer, and an alarm connected to the controller. Different types of alarm may be used, including a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a plug-in vibrator clip, or a combination of these alarms. In use, the alarm is triggered by the controller when the acceleration change is larger than a preset acceleration threshold. The cargo reminder may also include an acceleration threshold input to allow the driver to input the preset acceleration threshold, a delay setting input to allow the driver to input a time delay between first and second alarm triggers, and an inclinometer. A method for reminding the driver of a vehicle of an external cargo being transported is also within the scope of the instant invention.

Abstract: A vertical can be a series of computer-executable instructions that, in response to an incident, collect information regarding that incident and transmit the information for analysis and possible helpful feedback to the user. A general purpose vertical can address types of incidents, such as crashes or hangs, across a variety of applications, while a custom vertical can be written to address application-specific incidents. Verticals can access underlying support mechanisms through an infrastructure, which can also enable applications to request that additional data be collected by the verticals, and set other preferences. Once the data is collected and transmitted, a vertical may receive feedback, that can be a request for additional information or feedback to the user. The feedback to the user can attempt to identify the incident and aid the user in recovering from it and avoiding it in the future.

Abstract: An emergency power shutdown management system (EPSMS) comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC), relays coupled to the outputs of the PLC for shutting down electrically operated equipment, and indicators for indicating the status of the EPSMS and the controlled equipment. The PLC receives input signals from a fire control panel including a 2nd alarm signal which is generated after the fire control panel has detected smoke, fire or an explosion with two or more detectors and a system discharge signal which is generated when the fire control panel triggers fire sprinklers or the release of other fire or explosion suppression agents. The PLC also receives an emergency power off (EPO) signal from an EPO switch which is activated to immediately shut down all electrically operated equipment and power distribution units in a protected area.

Abstract: An event communication system involves facilitating entry by a user of one or more device addresses via a network accessible user interface of the event communication system. The device addresses are associated with alerts provided by the event communication system. Test alert messages targeted for the device addresses are sent via the user interface. The system sends alerts user devices corresponding to the one or more tested device addresses in response to predetermined events. The system may provide user access to historical copies of data relating to the alerts. Registration on the system involves storing a personal identity data of a student on a database and comparing the personal identity data to registration data entered via the user interface. Authentication is automatically provided based on the comparison.

Abstract: A security system includes at least one audio sensor located at a premises that receives audio signals and converts the audio signals to digitized audio signals. A server is located remote from the plurality of premises and receives the digitized audio signals from each of the premises. A plurality of clients are in communication with the server, which is operative for selecting the client for receiving digitized audio signals for a selected premises. The client is operative for converting the digitized audio signals from the selected premises into audio for an operator that is monitoring the premises.

Abstract: Method, system and device useful with conventional personal computers respond automatically to an identified alarm sound by sending a notification signal via the Internet only when a special sound monitoring program is active.

Abstract: A system is described for transmitting video signals over various communication media using digital signal processing techniques. An embodiment of the system uses an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation process that enables high-speed data communications of Ethernet and/or MPEG or JPEG or H264 compressed or uncompressed digital video. A second embodiment frequency modulates the OFDM modulated signal (FM-OFDM). The first and second embodiments are implemented with a transmit Ethernet interface, an MPEG or JPEG or H264 compressed or uncompressed digital video capture device, and a modem including a modulator and demodulator that provides communication with several other modem devices along communication media such as power lines, wireless (air), cable, or twisted pairs.

Abstract: An ingredient freezing system which provides accident information about ingredients stored in a refrigerator, the system including, a reading unit which obtains identification information of IC tags attached to the ingredients stored in a refrigerator, an identification information sending unit which sends the identification information obtained by the reading unit, an accident information providing unit which saves the accident information about the ingredients, relating to the identification information and outputs accident information related to the identification information when receiving the identification information from the identification information sending unit, an accident information obtaining unit which receives the accident information sent from the accident information providing unit, and a notification unit which notifies the accident information received by the accident information obtaining unit.

Abstract: A wireless fire alarm door unlocking system includes a remote alarm panel interface to receive information from a central alarm panel interface over an RF channel. The central alarm panel interface monitors an output from an alarm control panel and, when an alarm condition is asserted, initiates an unlock signal that is sent to the remote alarm panel interface. It in turn causes the door with which it is associated to unconditionally release to allow unimpeded entrance and exit. The system also monitors the status of the remove alarm panel interface and raises an alert in the event of a malfunction. The interface may be implemented as a hardware and software modification to an access control system or as separate components that coexist with an access control system on a non-interfering basis.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network container includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for dynamically tasking one or more surveillance resources includes multiple collection requirements (CRs) that identify multiple surveillance resources. The system also includes an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirement (ISRR) that is a parent of the CRs. The CRs inherit one or more attributes from the ISRR, and the inheritance of the attributes from the ISRR to the CRs enables management of the CRs from the ISRR.

Abstract: As a contactless identification tag is removed from a commercial product, a section to be detected is cut and separated from a removal detection circuit section composing the contactless identification tag and remains on the commercial product. When a detection section judges that the section to be detected is removed from the contactless identification tag, the contactless identification tag changes functions.

Abstract: A locator plug system for efficiently locating utility services that utilize a plug. The locator plug system includes a plug for a utility service and an electronic marker attached to the plug. The electronic marker may be attached to the plug or formed integrally within the plug.

Abstract: A multifunctional multichip system can operate in a passive mode by using at least one antenna to receive electromagnetic energy and using that energy to perform system functions. The system includes a sensor, an impedance matching circuit and an RFID module. The sensor produces a sensor signal containing a measurement. The RFID can produce an identification signal containing identification information. Alternatively, the RFID chip can be used in an addressing mode wherein the system only produces a signal in response to an addressing signal containing addressing information. The addressing signal is received from the electromagnetic field. In either mode, the sensor signal is coupled from the antenna into the electromagnetic field from which a receiver can obtain it. The signal can contain the identification information as well as the measurement. A matching network minimizes the effects of impedance mismatches between the system elements.

Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable wirelessly transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier. A data store maintains a list of the assets and privileges associated with the assets for authorized users of the assets. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and monitor positions of the assets within a defined area. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated. The control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system has a reader, a first antenna, a second antenna and a transponder. The first antenna is electrically connected to the reader, and the reader is used to generate a control signal and transmit the control signal through the first antenna. The second antenna is used to receive the control signal. The transponder is integrated into an electronic element of a portable electronic device and is electrically connected to the second antenna. The transponder is arranged to select a data signal according to the control signal and transmit the data signal to the reader through the second and first antennas.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter in combination with a performance requirement. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: A remote controlled vibratory and auditory awakening device comprising a plurality of parallelepiped pads, vibratory media within each pad, auditory emission mechanism communicating with each pad, a remote control in RF communication with every pad, whereby the variety of commands provided by the invention include choice of pad, choice of vibration or auditory emission or both, choice of intensity of vibration, volume of sound from auditory emission mechanisms, and audio input from the microphone of the remote control. The remote control also provides for duration of auditory and vibratory emissions.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a security alert. First and second user monitors are configured to communicate with an interrogator to establish the presence of the user monitors in a defined space. An information server is configured to determine a degree to which the users of the first and second user monitors are permitted to exchange information according to security matching criteria applied to user profiles. Security alert signals are sent to first and second match indicators. The first match indicator is visible to the user of the second user monitor so as to be informative to the user of the second user monitor of a degree to which the users of the first and second user monitors are permitted to exchange information according to the security matching criteria.

Abstract: A radiation information management device comprises a measuring unit, a comparing unit, and a management information generating unit. The measuring unit measures unwanted radio wave radiation radiated from a balanced transmission line. The comparing unit compares a measured value of unwanted radio wave radiation, which the measuring unit has measured, with a reference value that is predetermined, and then notifies the comparison result to the management information generating unit. The management information generating unit refers the comparison result, generates the management information related to the unwanted radio wave radiation including information showing that the measured value is exceeded the reference value, then notifies to a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device take a measure to reduce transmitting power based on the management information regarding the unwanted radio wave radiation.

Abstract: A monitoring, detection and alarm for water systems includes a plurality of sensing components for detecting the presence of target contaminants in water and for measuring the overall quality of the water. The apparatus contains water sensing components, a database for storing sensor data and processors for data analysis using artificial intelligence. The apparatus provides control logic to take responsive action based on the results of the detection of the target contaminants. Responsive action includes, but is not limited to, generation of reports and alarm signals that are delivered in near real-time to users of the system.

Abstract: A connection checking system of the present invention is arranged so as to apply a power supply voltage which is dropped by the resistance to a terminal when the control substrate and the unit are connected. Then, the control section determines that the unit is connected to the control substrate when the dropped voltage is applied to the terminal. On the other hand, when a dropped voltage is not applied to the terminal, the control section determines that the unit is not connected to the control substrate. The connection checking system of the present invention can be realized by using a conventional power supply cable, a signal cable and a terminal, and thus the connection checking system of the present invention can be manufactured at low costs.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for monitoring the operational life and/or performance of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (20) based on sensed parameters are disclosed. The remaining life of each LED may be predicted by counting the clock cycles during which the LED-based light is activated. LED current and/or temperature measurements may be used to control the clock signal and, thus, to compensate the predicted life value. Furthermore, operational characteristics of the LED-based light may be monitored based on LED current and/or voltage measurements. Such characteristics may include performance (e.g., intensity) and failure conditions (e.g., open or short circuits).

Abstract: Each of molding machines has a conductive line whose electrification state changes as a result of anomalous stoppage. An anomaly monitoring system includes detection sections provided in the conductive lines so as to detect the electrification states thereof; a data processing section having input ports to which the detection sections are connected, wherein, when a detection signal indicating the electrification state of a conductive line is provided from a detection section to an input port, the data processing section outputs data regarding a mail address and a message prepared in accordance with the input port having received the detection signal and the electrification state; and a mail transmission section which receives the data output from the data processing section and sends an electronic mail containing the message to a communication terminal corresponding to the mail address.

Abstract: A bi-directional communication system communicates between a control station, which receives and outputs control signals, and one or more display cabinets. LEDs illuminate objects disposed about the cabinets. Addressable nodes interactively communicate with the control station and selectively operate the LEDs, each node being coupled to the control station and to associated LEDs.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for using low cost, passive RF sensor technology such as RFID tags, to determine whether containers or other objects are in a right-side-up orientation. A useful embodiment of the invention is directed to sensor apparatus for use in detecting an improper orientation of a conventional box or container with respect to a substantially horizontal surface. The apparatus includes a structure having two sides formed of plastic in spaced apart relationship, to define an enclosed space within the structure. Selected shielding material attached to the structure shields a specified region of the enclosed space against RF signals, the shielded region being located in the lowest portion of the enclosed space when the structure is in a reference orientation with respect to the horizontal surface. An RFID tag embedded in a disk is positioned in the enclosed space, the disk being sized to move freely within the space.

Abstract: The systems described herein include one or more wireless vehicle detectors, along with a distributed parking payment system such as parking meters or a paystation. Information from the payment system and the vehicle detectors may be combined to determine when a parking violation occurs, or is about to occur. This information may then be transmitted through a communication system to a parking enforcement officer, along with information about the geographic location of the violation. The information may also, or instead be transmitted to a parking payer to notify the payer of an impending infraction so that the payer may purchase additional parking time before the violation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable helicopter landing area and to the use method thereof. The inventive device comprises two cases (1, 2) which can be carried by the person on the ground (X) and which are intended to be disposed on the selected surface or area (H). Moreover, two units (A, B) can be removed from the aforementioned two cases respectively. The visual positioning unit (A) comprises: a light which produces four successive white flashes (7) and which is visible from a distance of at least forty kilometers by an aircraft pilot, and a high-frequency current generator unit.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of optimizing a fixed route on a transit network, comprising the steps of: a) permitting a vehicle providing service on the fixed route to make deviations from the fixed route based on passenger requests; b) tracking the deviations and number of passenger requests corresponding to each deviation; c) submitting information from tracking step b) into a decision-making algorithm; and d) modifying the fixed route to include new stops based on results from the decision-making algorithm, as well as a system for implementing this method.

Abstract: A keypad encoding circuit contains a voltage dividing network and an integrated circuit. The voltage dividing network includes a string of resistors that generates an encoding signal voltage. The integrated circuit converts the encoding signal voltage into a digital value indicative of which of the keys has been pressed. The cost of the voltage dividing network is reduced by forming the resistors from a layer of conductive carbon and avoiding the cost of providing discrete resistors. Each resistor has the same resistance even where the dimensions of the conductive carbon patches that form the resistors vary. Providing the resistors does not involve additional manufacturing cost because the resistors are made in the same step as are the landing pads of the voltage dividing circuit. Manufacturing costs associated with etched printed circuit board layers are avoided because inexpensive printed layers are used to realize the required traces and resistors.

Abstract: An input device includes an input circuit including a plurality of key switches connected in parallel to one another, and a control circuit including a key input terminal to which a first terminal of the input circuit is connected, and an interrupt terminal to which a second terminal of the input circuit is connected. When a key switch is turned ON, an interrupt signal is input from the second terminal of the input circuit to the interrupt terminal, whereby the control circuit transitions from a power saving mode to a normal mode. Then, the control circuit determines which one of the key switches is turned ON based on a value of a voltage applied from the first terminal of the input circuit to the key input terminal. Thus, it is possible to realize a power saving mode without having to provide a comparator.

Abstract: Data from both a positive edge sample and negative edge sample are used to determine a data bit. The primary and secondary clocks capture two copies of the data. A sample is taken with a positive edge of one clock and the negative edge of the other clock each bit period. These two captured data values are combined along with the data value captured by the previous negative edge to determine the data bit value. The captured data may be dynamically de-skewed previous to being clocked into a buffer based on the clock edges sampling the data.

Abstract: The time used in manufacturing an electronic device can be reduced by reducing the amount of time taken to store code on non-volatile memories. In one embodiment, storing compressed code to a non-volatile memory can reduce the manufacturing time of an electronic device. The code stored on the non-volatile memory can be decompressed by a controller in the electronic device and loaded on the non-volatile memory for execution by the electronic device.

Abstract: A switching amplifier system and method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a pulse width modulation frame size is determined based on a sample rate of a digital input signal. Data associated with the first digital input signal is modified based on the pulse width modulation frame size. A pulse width modulation signal is generated in response to the modified data.

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: An integrated circuit (IC) adapted to (i) measure a voltage differential between a ground potential external to the IC and a ground potential internal to the IC and (ii) based on the measurement result(s), adjust a signal referenced to the internal ground potential to reduce signal error associated with the voltage differential. In one embodiment, the IC is adapted to monitor the voltage differential in real time and use the presently measured voltage differential to perform signal adjustment. In another embodiment, the IC has a plurality of registers, each register adapted to store a voltage-differential value corresponding to a particular configuration of the IC, which values are written into the registers during an initialization procedure. During normal operation, the IC controllably selects from the stored values one corresponding to the current IC configuration.

Abstract: A method for testing AD converters (10) may have the steps of a) producing a digital test signal, b) producing an analog test signal as input signal for the AD converter (10) from the digital test signal, c) producing a sinusoidal, digital reference signal whose frequency is equal to or an integer multiple of the frequency of the analog test signal, d) mixing the test response from the AD converter (10) with the sine and the cosine of the digital reference signal to form mixed signals, e) determining the DC components of the mixed signals, and f) determining at least one of the parameters including amplitude, power components and phase angle for a fundamental or harmonic of the test response from the DC components of the mixed signals.

Abstract: An adaptive multi-bit delta and sigma-delta modulation and demodulation technique, wherein a one-bit modulator generates a binary output signal from an analog input signal and a multi-bit adapter for generating a scaling signal for scaling a step-size of the sigma-delta modulator.

Abstract: When a reference signal is generated for a digital-to-analog converter in the feedback path of a sigma-delta modulator, the reference signal can contain modulated error signals, for example when the reference generator implements dynamic element matching. By controlling the reference signal generation in dependence on the bitstream output from the sigma-delta modulator, the effects of intermodulation of the reference signal with the bitstream can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a comparison circuit for an analog/digital converter. In order to reduce the effect of the offset voltages of the various comparators of the comparison circuit, voltage followers and a resistor network delivering at its outputs, mean voltages that are the average of those present on outputs of the comparators are linked downstream of the outputs of the comparators.

Abstract: An A-D converter utilizing V-F conversion is realized that is capable of performing A-D conversion with high precision without increasing conversion frequency. Two VCOs are provided to find a V-F conversion value that is less than a period of the main VCO by making use of a period difference between the two VCOs. By counting the number of pulses in a pulse signal that is output from a BASE-VCO with a counter, a high order bit of a digital signal is generated. A low order bit, on the other hand, is generated by calculating, for each sampling period, a phase difference from the beginning of a sampling period until a first pulse generation in the sampling period for the output of the BASE-VCO by a third register and second and third subtracters, based on the number of pulses in the output of the BASE-VCO contained in a period from a current activation time point of sampling signal Ps to a time point at which phases of outputs of the BASE-VCO and JAW-VCO match.

Abstract: One input terminals of switches respectively coupled to capacitors of a capacitance array type D/A converter configured as a main DAC are coupled to a first external terminal of an IC. On the other hand, a current switching type D/A converter of a resistance string type D/A converter configured as a sub DAC that causes a DC current to flow therethrough is coupled to a second external terminal of the IC.

Abstract: A geolocation system and method uses a single platform for determining a Doppler measurement set of a targeted aircraft or signal of interest. The electronic warfare aircraft and the ejected aircraft expendables technology device determine the Doppler measurement set of the targeted aircraft or other signal of interest. The ejected aircraft expendables technology device is initially tuned to an expected frequency of the target of interest. Re-tuning may take place after an initial signal reading and computation has been performed by the electronic warfare aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method for suppressing radio frequency (“RF”) transmissions includes a transmitter for transmitting electronic signals that suppresses (e.g., prevents, disrupts, jams, interferes with or otherwise disables) RF transmissions. Some embodiments of the invention include a transmitter that suppresses one or more signals transmitted from a target transmitter in an RF transmission system to a target receiver in a wireless device operating in the RF transmission system to prevent, disrupt, jam, interfere with or otherwise disable an RF transmission between the target transmitter and the target receiver in the wireless device (i.e., target wireless device). These systems and methods may be used to interrupt communication, command and control of non-friendly combatant. These systems and methods may also be used to suppress RF transmissions to prevent the detonation of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

Abstract: Motion measurement errors that extend beyond the range resolution of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be corrected by effectively decreasing the range resolution of the SAR in order to permit measurement of the error. Range profiles can be compared across the slow-time dimension of the input data in order to estimate the error. Once the error has been determined, appropriate frequency and phase correction can be applied to the uncompressed input data, after which range and azimuth compression can be performed to produce a desired SAR image.

Abstract: Described are a method and a system for generating a short-term forecast of echo tops as defined by weather radar measurements. The method includes receiving echo tops images for different times. An echo tops growth rate and an echo tops maximum value are determined for pixels in one of the images and used to generate echo tops prediction values for an echo tops prediction image. For pixels in regions of the image determined to be subject to convective initiation but where convective weather does not exist, an echo tops initiation height and the echo tops maximum value are determined and used with a predicted precipitation value to generate an echo tops prediction value for each pixel.

Abstract: There are provided a differential processing unit which performs differential processing for a Mode S transponder transmission signal, an auto correlation arithmetic operation unit which performs an arithmetic operation of a degree of auto correlation between an increasing change rate and decreasing change rate of a power level in the signal which has been subjected to the differential processing, a pulse regeneration unit which regenerates a pulse based on the degree of auto correlation, which has been obtained by the auto correlation arithmetic operation processing, a pulse phase locked loop unit which performs gate processing and phase locked processing for the regenerated pulse, and a pulse decoding unit which decodes the Mode S transponder transmission signal based on the pulse which has been subjected to the gate processing and the phase locked processing.

Abstract: A method is described for locating a detection microchip that transmits a detection signal, which is received and evaluated by a reader. The current distance between the reader and the detection microchip is determined from a run-time dependent feature of the received detection signal and the propagation speed of electromagnetic waves.