Abstract: Position data received wirelessly from a vehicle enrolled in an inspection waiver program are employed to determine when the enrolled vehicle is approaching an inspection station. After determining that the enrolled vehicle is approaching an inspection station, and if the enrolled vehicle has a valid inspection waiver, a bypass confirmation can selectively be provided to the vehicle operator, authorizing the operator to bypass the inspection station. The task of determining when an enrolled vehicle is approaching the location of an inspection station can be performed using a processor disposed in the vehicle, or at a remote location separate from both the vehicle and the inspection station, or at the inspection station. The inspection stations can be mobile so that their locations are varied to prevent operators from intentionally avoiding an inspection, as may occur with fixed inspection stations.

Abstract: Position data received wirelessly from a vehicle enrolled in an inspection waiver program are employed to determine when the enrolled vehicle is approaching an inspection station. After determining that the enrolled vehicle is approaching an inspection station, and if the enrolled vehicle has a valid inspection waiver, a bypass confirmation can selectively be provided to the vehicle operator, authorizing the operator to bypass the inspection station. The task of determining when an enrolled vehicle is approaching the location of an inspection station can be performed using a processor disposed in the vehicle, or at a remote location separate from both the vehicle and the inspection station, or at the inspection station. The inspection stations can be mobile so that their locations are varied to prevent operators from intentionally avoiding an inspection, as may occur with fixed inspection stations.

Abstract: A box comprising at least one portion that is closed by a movable cover and that contains an electronic detection circuit for detecting opening of the cover, the cover being provided with means for locking it in the closed position, said means comprising a screw that is mounted on the cover to pivot between a locking position and an unlocking position, and having an end provided with at least one tooth for meshing with teeth of a code wheel mounted to pivot in register with pads of the detection circuit, wherein the screw is mounted so that said end of the screw presents positioning with radial clearance relative to the box in such a manner that the pivoting of the code wheel has an amplitude that depends on the positioning of said end as authorized by the radial clearance.

Abstract: System and method for analyzing position data and fuel injector data from a vehicle equipped with a geographical position system (GPS) and fuel injector sensors to enable fuel use patterns of the vehicle to be analyzed. Data defining a flow of fuel through the vehicle's fuel injectors is combined with temporal data and GPS data to produce fuel use encoded GPS data that is transmitted to a remote computer. The fuel use encoded GPS data can be analyzed to determine how much fuel was used by the vehicle during off road use to enable proper fuel tax computations to be performed. The data can also be used to evaluate the mechanical condition of a vehicle. By monitoring fuel use for a trip repeated numerous times, a decrease in fuel efficiency may indicate a mechanical problem (dirty injectors, fouled spark plugs, etc).

Abstract: The apparatus consists of a self contained lighting and identification device (10) having a strap (104) for attachment to a SCBA tank. A back plate (58) and a front shield (62) are spaced apart forming a cavity for LED back-lighting, with the front shield incorporates identification indicia (68) which provides recognition of a specific firefighter. Battery containing tubes (72) act as structural pillars and are located between an upper end cap assembly (20) and a lower end cap assembly (86), utilizing tie rods (96) for attachment therebetween. Diffused light distribution tubes (78) energized by LED's are positioned adjacent to the battery tubes evenly dispersing light on each side of the apparatus, effectively penetrating a smoke environment. The upper end cap assembly incorporates a printed circuit board (46) which includes the necessary control and lighting devices, and the lower end cap has a removable bottom cover (90) allowing batteries to be replaced.

Abstract: A system for providing emergency services in which a voice pendant provides voice signals to a corresponding radio-based voice-enabled base station which either (1) acoustically forwards the voice signals on to an existing base station or (2) forwards the voice signals on to an existing base station via a communications link. The existing base station is triggered by a triggering signal that is learned by the radio-based voice-enabled base station by either DTMF programming or by receiving the triggering signal from an existing pendant while in a learning mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide evidence that a person who is intended to make a required inspection was actually physically present at a predefined location associated with the inspection, so that the inspection could have been done, and if not, to provide an indication of the failure to perform the inspection. This invention is particularly well suited to determine if required pre/post-trip inspections of vehicles have been performed. Detecting a triggering condition, such as powering on (or off) equipment, indicates the beginning of a period of time during which the inspection is to be performed. The monitoring system waits for a predetermined event to occur, which indicates the period of time has expired and determines if data corresponding to the inspection have been received. If not, it is concluded that the inspection has not been performed.

Abstract: Displays for exhibiting guard tour data are disclosed. The displays are arranged in a manner such that the data can be easily analyzed and readily acted upon. The displays use a combination of colors, graphics, and text, arranged in the cells of a table or spreadsheet, to present large volumes of guard tour data in a compact and easily analyzed manner. Each row of the table or spreadsheet represents one location within the guard tour. Each cell within that row represents one visit by a guard to the location. Cell background color or pattern, graphic symbol shape and color, and/or text color within each cell indicate whether the guard's visit to a specific location fell within predetermined parameters for that location. Additional graphics appear within the cell if the system has additional information regarding the visit to the tour location that cannot fit within the area of the cell.

Abstract: A portable wireless andon communication system and method for use in manufacturing, assembly and other industrial settings. A transmitter station and receiver station are set up for immediate use by simply connecting each to a standard power source. A user needing assistance manually activates a switch at the transmitter station, thus turning on a light and transmitting a corresponding signal to the receiver station. The receiver station receives the signal and turns on a corresponding light and tone generator. The tone generator and light alert indicate to the proper parties the request for a response. A responding party scans transmitter stations for the corresponding light and provides assistance. The switch may be a sensor activated by a change in state indicating that assistance is required. The portable system is easily reconfigured if necessitated by layout changes in a manufacturing line.

Abstract: An emergency alarm system is provided having a manually operated pull-station that activates the system. The emergency alarm system has a camera that provides image data of the area surrounding the pull-station. The emergency alarm system also has a control panel having an image memory that is operable to provide storage for the image data from the camera.

Abstract: A fuel tank and method of making the same having three polymeric sheet members arranged in a stacked relationship to define a first volume and a second volume. The first volume being separate from said second volume to provide a number of advantages, such as a barrier to prevent puncture, minimize vapor release, aid in cooling, define a reserve cavity, minimize fluid movement, and the like.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the tour that a guard must undertake in each building of a large number of building sites involves an arrangement in which a system control center has a two-way communication by telephone network with each of a large number of building sites. Within each building, a building site unit has a two-way communication by broadcast with a large number of tour station units. A guard with a guard identification card checks in through a card reader at each tour station unit. A unique tour station unit identification number is associated with the guard identification number and transmitted to the building site unit where it is associated with a time and date and transmitted to the system control center. In this fashion, a large number of sites and a larger number of tour station units can all be monitored on close to a real time basis. A defective tour station unit can readily be replaced with a standard unit available at each building site.

Abstract: A system for the surveillance or monitoring of an industrial installation (in particular a nuclear installation) making it possible for at least one operator to carry out rounds, the system having at least one central terminal (22) associated with a transmitter/receiver (23), identification labels located at different plotting or recording or acquisition points (12) at predetermined locations within the installation, and at least one portable terminal (26) available to each operator and associated with a data transmitter/receiver (27) for communicating with the central terminal and a label reader (28). These labels include electronic labels, whose content can be read and modified by writing. Electronic labels located on automatic equipment to be controlled, in each case contain a base for updated data relating to the characteristics of the equipment. The label reader associated with each portable terminal also permits a writing in the electronic labels.

Abstract: A personal security system including features for monitoring guard tours and other surveillance by security personnel. The security system includes a plurality of hand-portable transmitters, a plurality of fixed receivers and a control station. The transmitters are actuated to emit radio frequency signals including a class code that identifies first and second sets of the transmitters. The first set is assigned to security personnel and the second set to system subscribers. The receivers decode the signals from the transmitters and provide an output representing the receiver and the received class code. The control station identifies the location of the transmission using information from the receiver output, and records the time of the transmission. If the class code represents a security-assigned transmitter, the control station reports the information as a security function, such as a guard tour.

Abstract: Process for carrying out an inspection or monitoring round of a nuclear site (5) consisting of recording in a central computer (22) connected to a radiofrequency transmitter/receiver or transceiver (24) a combination or sequence of different collection or reading points (12) grouping sensors (10) constituting the round to be performed. This sequence is copied again into a memory of a portable microcomputer (26) carried by the watchman during the round and connected to a radiofrequency transceiver (28). Each connection point (12) is validated and this validation is transmitted to the central computer (22). The sensors are checked and any abnormal condition is indicated to the central computer (22). All the checks carried out are recorded in the portable microcomputer (26) and copied again at the end of the round into a central computer (22) in such a way that they can be processed.

Abstract: A call device-attached patrol recorder for use with a group of coders includes a patrol storing apparatus which includes a patrol recorder having a circuit for storing patrol information consisting of a position code of a coder arranged at every check position of a patrol course and a patrol time in turn by inserting the patrol recorder into the coder and a central unit having a circuit for reading out and printing out the patrol information recorded in the patrol recorder on paper; the patrol recorder also including a receiver for receiving a call signal emitted from a transmitter and an acknowledging device for acknowledging the receipt of the call signal.

Abstract: A communications system for use by workers in a confined hazardous working location includes a transmitter that is carried by the worker in the hazardous area. The transmitter is capable of sending either an alarm signal or a check-in signal to a centrally located monitoring and control station. The monitoring and control station includes a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter and further includes an alarm that is activated upon receipt of an alarm signal from the transmitter. The receiving unit further includes a timer that automatically activates an alarm signal upon the expiration of a predetermined amount of time. The timer in the receiver is initialized by receipt of a check-in signal from the transmitter. The transmitter includes a warning subsystem that alerts the worker of the impending expiration of time on the receiver timer to permit the worker to check in and reinitialize the receiver timer, thereby eliminating false alarms.

Abstract: The system includes a number of spaced apart key stations which a watchman is to visit on a tour of an area. A portable unit is provided with two AND circuits. Upon starting a tour, one of the AND circuits sets a number of timers, a first one of the timers starts running providing a signal to a prealarm sound-producing device on the portable unit unless the first timer has been reset by the completion of the second AND circuit by having inserted all of the keys and turning them. At the same time, the first timer starts a second timer running. The second timer provides a delay which allows the watchman a few more minutes to complete his tour. If he fails, a third timer feeds a fault signal to a counter in the portable unit and also triggers a further audible alarm device on the portable unit and at the same time resets all the timers in the portable unit. A coder is provided in the portable unit which provided an output, via a plug and jack arrangement, to a decoder which resets a timer at a base station.

Abstract: A location transmitting system for use by one or more guards in a security system. Encoders are located at predetermined reporting locations which have no power supplies. Each guard carries a walkie-talkie radio transmitter which he places in a receptacle at the reporting location, energizing the encoder through external terminals in the receptacle which mate with external terminals of the walkie-talkie and its power supply.

Abstract: The specification discloses a guard monitoring system having remote guard stations to be activated in a predetermined order. Station activation causes a control circuit to activate a recording device and to be operatively connected to the next station in the predetermined order.

Abstract: A plurality of watch stations are installed in protected premises that must be tripped in proper sequence once each hour and embodies means whereby when the watchman comes on duty and starts his rounds of duty, a signal will be transmitted to the central station and when he has completed the rounds of stations a second signal will be transmitted to the central station indicating that all is well. In the event the proper sequence of operation of the watchman's stations is broken, an alarm will be indicated in the central station. Thus the central station receives only two signals regardless of the number of stations on the watchman's route unless there is something wrong with the watchman and he is in need of help. The present system is designed to prevent tampering with the system, to prevent the system being turned off prior to the end of the watchman's tour of duty, and to permit the watchman to signal for outside help from anyone of the stations on his tour.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in establishing a security system having a tour route which is followed by a guard, and having a plurality of tour stations spaced along the tour route. An electronic tour key is carried by the guard to each of the tour stations on the tour route for plug-in electrical connection therewith. Address codes are set in the tour stations and the electronic tour key for identifying a specified tour route and specific stations along the tour route. A tour information signal is generated by the electronic tour key after plug-in electrical connections have been made with a predetermined number of tour stations. The tour information signal is connected to a means for receiving such signals and for transmitting security information to a remote monitoring station. Programming and verifying means are provided for setting predetermined tour station address codes and for subsequently verifying tour station address codes and address codes which have been preset in the electronic tour key.

Abstract: A watchman's tour recording system which includes a watchman's unit having a clock means for producing digital time signals, a station identification signal producing means for producing digital station signals, at least two digital bit storage or memory means and special address means arranged to direct the digital time and station identification signals into predetermined locations in the memory means so that their storage capabilities are most effectively utilized. Novel photoelectric station identification signal generating means are also disclosed.