Abstract: A control device for controlling operating parameters and control functions for the operation of a laboratory centrifuge. The control device has a panel for displaying a visual representation of at least a part of the operating parameters and control functions such as speed of rotation, acceleration temperature, etc. A control switch sets the operating parameters and control functions, this switch being capable of at least two independent movements—a first movement including a rotation about an axis, the second one a displacement along the axis. One of these switch movement, e.g., rotation, provides for the selection and change in setting of one of the operating parameters and control functions, and another of the switch movement, e.g., displacement, provides for acceptance of the selection and acceptance of the setting.

Abstract: A locator apparatus for locating a lost wallet, pocketbook, or a purse is disclosed. Other embodiments of the apparatus could be incorporated into other commonly used items such as purses, sunglasses, keys, etc. The apparatus would be a phone chip and speaker combination that would be incorporated into any one of a wide variety of items that are both frequently used and frequently misplaced, such as wallets, pocketbooks, purses, keys, sunglasses or regular glasses, and other such items. The phone chip would be capable of “receiving” a telephone call, at which time, it would activate the speaker, which would begin to make noise. This noise would allow an individual to find the appropriate “lost” or misplaced item quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A vocal container cap includes a cap portion and a vocal assembly received in the cap portion. When the cap portion is fully closed onto a container mouth, an elastic switch associated with a movable member of the vocal assembly is pressed against a contact on a circuit board supported on a fixed member of the vocal assembly to disable the vocal container cap. And when the cap portion is twisted to loosen from the container mouth, a spring lifts the movable member to separate the elastic switch from the contact and thereby actuates the vocal container cap to sound or voice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a truck assembly for use on a skateboard. The truck assembly preferably includes a base block having a battery chamber and a circuit board cavity, a battery contained within the battery chamber, a circuit board housed inside the circuit board cavity, wherein the circuit board is in electrical communication with the battery, and an effect module that is operably connected to the circuit board to produce a selected effect.

Abstract: A portable tire pressure gauge measures a value of tire pressure. The gauge can display the measured value digitally and selectively in one of different units of pressure. If the gauge is made for use in a country, the gauge can output the measured value aurally and selectively in one of two languages that a majority of people in the country understand. These languages may be the language of the country and a first foreign language in the country. The gauge includes a display, a switch, a solar battery and an audio output unit. The display digitally displays the measured value. The switch switches the different units of pressure. The solar battery is the power supply for measurement and display. The audio output unit can output the measured value aurally and selectively in one of the two languages.

Abstract: A method of communicating of the present invention includes broadcasting a signal from a transmission point. The power of the signal is limited such that the signal will attenuate within a predetermined distance from the transmission point. The signal is received by a receiver. A communication system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is adapted to broadcast a first signal which attenuates within a predetermined distance from the transmitter. The receiver is adapted to receive the first signal. The method and system can be used to imperceptibly transmit voice data.

Abstract: A remote key entry system has a key unit and an answerback sound producing device. The key unit transmits a radio signal for remote-controlled locking and unlocking of a vehicle. The answerback sound producing device receives the key signal to indicate completion of correct locking or unlocking of the vehicle. The remote key entry system includes an environmental data sensing devices for obtaining data of an environment around the vehicle for control of the answerback sound. The system also has an answerback sound control device for controlling at least one of sound volume and tone of the answerback sound based on the environment data. The environmental data sensing device is an illumination sensing device for detecting environmental illuminance around the vehicle. The answerback sound control device varies the sound volume proportional to the illuminance.

Abstract: A user device 200 and corresponding method, is arranged for providing, dependent on an environment of the user device, a reminder message for a user of the device. The device includes a receiver 205 for detecting, when present, an external signal; a controller 209 for determining when the presence of the external signal has changed; and retrieving, if so, a reminder message associated with the user device; and a user interface 211, coupled to the controller, for providing the reminder message in a user perceptible form.

Abstract: An automatic door system capable of distinguishing between a door closing action for when an object leaves a prescribed area, which results from a “signal discontinuation due to the exit of an object”, and a door closing action for when an object remains stationary within the area for a certain period of time, which results from a “forced signal discontinuation in the presence of a stationary object”. Regarding the latter case, the automatic door system protects a person who stops in the area by setting the door to close at a low speed and/or issuing a vocal warning. The door closing action of the automatic door system can thereby reduce the risk of hitting the person with the door.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed handle or angled attachment for use with a tool or implement. The ergonomically designed handle includes an elongate member having distal and proximate ends, plural angular portions along the elongated member positioned intermediate the distal and proximate ends, and is configured to emit an audible and/or visual signal. The ergonomically designed handle or angled attachment may include a power source, memory, a central processing unit (CPU), sensor(s), audible indicator(s), light source(s), switch(es), camera(s), a transceiver, a microphone, notch(es), and aromatic element(s). The power source may be one or more batteries (rechargeable or non-rechargeable), and may be removable or non-removable. The ergonomically designed handle or angled attachment may also be configured to withstand a predetermined blast limit.

Abstract: Due to the presence of various environmental condition detectors in the home and businesses such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas detectors, etc., each having individual but similar sounding alarm patterns, it can be difficult for occupants of such dwellings to immediately determine the specific type of environmental condition that exists during an alarm condition. The present invention comprises an environmental condition detector using both tonal pattern alarms and pre-recorded voice messages to indicate information about the environmental condition being sensed. Single-station battery-powered and 120VAC detectors are described as are multiple-station interconnected 120VAC powered detectors. The pre-recorded voice messages describe the type of environmental condition detected or the location of the environmental condition detector sensing the condition, or both, in addition to the tonal pattern alarm. Provisions are made for multi-lingual pre-recorded voice messages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cargo container having an audio system, which is capable of broadcasting music and safety regulations for workers when they load or unload freight in or from the cargo container. An audio system is fixed to an inner surface of a corrugated wall of the cargo container. The audio system becomes operated so as to broadcast a radio station when a door of the cargo container is opened. The audio system has a sensor which detects the opening of the door, an automatic power supply switch which automatically supplies electric power from the battery to a printed circuit board when the opening of the door is detected by the sensor, a voice chip which reproduces voice data stored in it when the electric power is supplied through the automatic power supply switch, and a radio signal receiving section which is turned on and receives a radio broadcast signal when data reproduction by the voice chip is completed.

Abstract: A battery free door bell includes a power supply unit connected to two limited-voltage wave-filtering circuit units for providing power to interior circuit and exterior circuit. The interior circuit has a steady voltage unit and a first amplifying circuit unit so as to provide a signal to a music IC unit. A second amplifying circuit unit is connected to a speaker. The exterior circuit has a switch unit, a delay circuit and a third amplifying circuit unit. A storage circuit unit is connected to the delay circuit unit. The third amplifying circuit unit continuously activates the music IC unit.

Abstract: An audio system/cup assembly includes a cup for holding a beverage; a removable audio system base; and may also include a removable adaptor base for enabling the cup to be placed in a vehicle cup holder. The cup has a threaded opening in the underside of the cup for securing the audio system base or the adaptor base to the cup. The audio system base and the adaptor base each have an upper portion that threads into the threaded opening in the underside of the cup to secure the base to the cup. Preferably, the cup has a handle and the threaded upper portion of the audio system base mates with the threaded interior surface of the threaded opening in the underside of the cup to locate the audio system controls toward and the speaker(s) facing away from a person holding the audio system/cup assembly when the audio system base is fully threaded into the threaded opening in the underside of the cup.

Abstract: A system for identifying the location of a fire extinguisher includes a fire detector with a wireless transmitter. When the detector goes into alarm, it not only emits a local audible alarm, it also transmits wirelessly a signal receivable by a fire extinguisher locating unit. This unit includes a receiver and circuitry for detecting the received alarm indicating signal. It also includes audible output circuitry, for example, speech synthesis circuitry, and optionally, an optical indicator. Upon detection at the unit of the alarm indicating signal, the speech synthesizing circuitry can be activated to indicate verbally the location of the extinguisher. Simultaneously, if desired, the illuminatable output device, such as a light bulb or light emitting diode, can be energized to provide a visual indication of extinguisher location.

Abstract: A signaling cap device comprises an audible message reproducing unit, a switch, a power supply, and a former of an audible message number, whereas the audible message reproducing unit is operative upon removal of the cap to reproduce one of N audible messages recorded therein depending on the message number.

Abstract: A vehicle security system comprises a security module adapted to detect an event, a memory for storing a composition, and a processor coupled to the security module, wherein upon detecting the event the processor selects the composition from the memory and triggers a modulated signal representing the composition, wherein the modulated signal is received by a speaker.

Abstract: An acoustic signaling system comprises a transmitter, which has frequency stability to create sounds which can reliably be received and which is loud enough to be heard by a receiver. The receiver includes an electret microphone, a limiting amplifier which has high gain, high frequency roll off and produces a maximum output for any input above a minimum value and a Schmitt trigger circuit to square up the output of the limiting amplifier and function as a zero cross detector. A micro-controller measures the times of the zero crossings and performs the detection and decoding algorithms to determine what code is being received. Each code consists of an anonymous repeating sequence of tones, which are transmitted for a certain duration followed by a silence, which allows room echoes to decay. The system creates acoustic sound codes, which are pleasant, sounding, can reliably be received and convey sufficient information to activate toys or dolls.

Abstract: A doorbell system includes first and second pushbutton and an RF transmitter activatable by the first and second pushbutton. An RF receiver is configured to receive RF signals from the RF transmitter. The doorbell system further includes a microphone. A first storage device of the doorbell system stores a first sound. A second storage device is configured to record a second sound through the microphone. A playback device is operatively associated with the RF receiver and the storage devices to enable a user to select one of the sounds by pressing the first pushbutton and to play the selected one of the sounds by pressing the second pushbutton.

Abstract: A doorbell answering system includes is sensor to sense the presence of a visitor at an exterior panel. The system announces a message greeting to the visitor, asking the visitor to identify themselves. The visitor's response is recorded by the exterior panel and played at an interior panel, allowing a resident to monitor the visitor's response. The interior panel also records the visitor's response for subsequent playback in a controlled manner via a control panel. The system may store multiple visitor messages, each identified by a date and time. During monitoring, the resident may open the door, ignore the visitor, or initiate a warning alarm, via two buttons provided at the interior panel. The resident may depress the two buttons, thereby sending a signal to the exterior panel to announce the warning alarm. In an example, the warning alarm is loud enough to cover an area, such as a neighborhood block, to ward off the visitor.

Abstract: A bag includes an upright bag body with a rectangular mouth portion confined by opposite longer walls and opposite shorter walls. At least one of the longer walls is formed with first strap holes therethrough. A carrying strap has opposite sections extending respectively through the first strap holes and formed with a respective retaining end for connecting the carrying strap to the bag body. A backing plate is disposed to lie against one of the longer walls, and is formed with second strap holes that permit extension of the carrying strap therethrough. A sound generating module has a frame unit mounted on the backing plate, and a data storage unit and an audio playback unit mounted on the frame unit. The audio playback unit is coupled to the data storage unit and is operable so as to audibly reproduce audio information stored in the data storage unit.

Abstract: A voltage testing apparatus for electrical railways is disclosed consisting in one embodiment of a transportable pole-mounted electrical power indicator, electrically conducting wire-engaging means such as a hook attached to one end of the pole and electrically connected to the indicator, and a ground-connecting device such as an electrically conducting magnet also electrically connected to the indicator. An electrical circuit is completed between the cable, the indicator and the rail by placing the hook on an overhead railway cable and attaching the magnet to a roadbed rail. An LED array and voltmeter configuration constituting the indicator illuminate and show whether voltage is present.

Abstract: An insulated foam beverage holder, which plays music for either location or entertainment purposes. The top portion of the container contains an industry standard flexible foam sleeve. This foam sleeve is slightly larger than a 12-ounce beverage so as to allow a standard 12 oz. or 16 oz. beverage to fit snug. The sleeve also provides for an area to be used for indicia to correspond with desired music themes. The upper portion of the foam sleeve is fused to the molded plastic base module. This plastic base module contains the mechanisms for the operation of the music. The holder plays music by either clapping (or any distinct noise) or pressure upon the base. Activation is done with pressure sensors or sound sensors.

Abstract: A voice system for announcing the type of failure when the basic input/output system (BIOS) program in the computer discovers an error during start-up. The voice system includes a pre-recorded voice integrated circuit and a voice output device. The BIOS program tests a plurality of peripheral devices. When errors are found in any peripheral device, a warning signal is sent to the pre-recorded voice integrated circuit. A corresponding error signal message is looked up in the pre-recorded voice integrated circuit and then the error signal message is transferred to the voice output device. A verbal failure message is announced through the voice output device. The error signal message includes all kinds of failures recorded in voice data format.

Abstract: The sound method or type is to alert of an immediate need to be addressed by the sound heard or received and sent. When an immediate need for attention occurs, to be alerted of what it and then take action. A sound is used to make you aware it being immediate. A sound to alert of the immediate need by way of selecting a button or number on the device, coded by problems and/or condition (immediate need). The specific immediate need of attention, are for heart conditions, heart attack, pregency, fallen, slip, hit head, and etc. The conditions would cover health needs, such as heart, false teeth, fainting, life or death situations and etc. The devices could be made with the sound used as regular, standard, general and high tech based on the type of need.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method and apparatus for basketball referees, game management staff and other officials to notify the audience of a basketball game of the successful completion of a three-point shot. The preferred apparatus generates a tone that may be reproduced on the stadium or arena public address system or on the stadium or arena scoreboard or large screen video device. The tone generated by the apparatus is a unique sound that is readily recognized by the audience. The method involves a official, either an on-floor basketball official or an official observing the game from the side of the floor, activating a sound producing electronic card and the sound is then reproduced over the arena or stadium public address system. The major purpose of the method and device is to increase the enjoyment of observing basketball games by providing an audible alert to the successful completion of a three-point shot.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with law enforcement during vehicle travel and associated methods are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a department server in communication with a vehicle computer and also in communication with a plurality of law enforcement databases. The vehicle computer includes mobile data communications software and officer communications enhancing software. The officer communications enhancing software preferably includes one or more of an audio communicator to transmit enhanced audio law enforcement data received from the mobile data communications software to the officer, an incident form completing enhancer to generate and populate incident forms, and a quick mapper to quickly generate and display a site overview map such as a top plan street view to an officer.

Abstract: A system for tracking and monitoring at least one item in an environment includes at least one transmitter assigned a unique identification number for the item and attached to the item and at least one receiver for receiving a first data packet which includes the unique identification number from the transmitter. At least one node computer controls the receiver, receives a second data packet which includes said unique identification number and direction-of-travel code from the receiver, and determines a location of the item from the direction-of-travel code. A controller computer controls the node computer, receives the unique identification number and the location of the item from the node computer, and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item. A central computer facility coordinates the controller computer and collects and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item for exportation from the system.

Abstract: There is provided a musical composition-reproducing device and a musical composition-reproducing method that make it possible to make the most of many sounding channels and are capable of imparting an effect to musical tones without providing a special effect circuit. Musical composition data read from a musical composition data file FL is read out as data of a track 1 comprised of 4 channels, and is also copied and read out as data of a track 2, a track 3 and a track 4. Delay times of delaying means D1 to D3 and attenuations of attenuating means G1 to G3 are determined as being values t1 to t3 and g1 to g3, respectively, in accordance with effect parameter information. A sequencer SQ reproduces three effect sounding sequence data in the tracks 2 to 4, which is delayed by the delay times t1 to t3 and attenuated by the attenuations g1 to g3, as an effect sound providing a reverberation to musical tones reproduced based on the sequence data in the track 1 by using 12 channels among 16 channels.

Abstract: The invention is a card holder for credit cards or the like. The security system of the card holder prevents misuse of the credit cards that are lost by or stolen from the owner. A security system in the card holder initiates invalidation of the card, if the card is removed from the card holder without authorization.

Abstract: A personal sensory reminder system includes an audio circuit that stores an audio message and which is responsive to a first signal for outputting the audio message. The system includes a switch that is responsive to an event for outputting a second signal and a clock circuit that is responsive to (i) the second signal for outputting the first signal to the audio circuit, (ii) the second signal for outputting the first signal to the audio circuit during an activation interval of the clock circuit and for withholding the output of the first signal to the audio circuit during a deactivation interval of the clock circuit or (iii) a change from a deactivation interval to an activation interval for outputting the first signal to the audio circuit.

Abstract: A method for inputting a voice message recording for a particular floor served by an elevator car includes the steps of sensing elevator car positions (21), sensing that a selected car operating panel button has been held down (22) and enabling a voice input process (23). A device for displaying Braille information to an elevator user includes an elongated panel (42) having a central Braille character panel (31) and two buttons (32, 33) disposed at opposite ends of the elongated panel for causing the displayed information to move backward and forward. A plurality of actuators (38), and probes (35) extruding through the Braille panel form Braille characters.

Abstract: An adapter (10) for a light fixture (F) has a socket (16) into which the base of the light bulb (L) is screwed. The adapter has a base (12) sized to be inserted in a socket of the light fixture for attaching the adapter to the light fixture. The adapter further includes a housing (14) in which is installed an audio alarm (20) for a security system. The audio alarm is electrically operated and connected in parallel with the light bulb. Electrical current routed to the adapter through the light fixture simultaneously illuminates the light bulb screwed into the socket of the light holder and the audio alarm.

Abstract: A sequenced audio help label having a plurality of recorded audio messages that are played back in a predetermined sequence, one at a time, in response to a user activating a button or trigger to signal play of the next message. The label may be affixed to e.g. consumer electronic devices as a quick-start help reference system for users. In some embodiments, the messages are pre-recorded, but, in others, the user may record the messages.

Abstract: A hazard warning device for night-migrating birds is provided which warns the birds of the presence of a fixed structure or obstacle, e.g., a building or communications tower, against which the birds could collide during night-migration. The device includes a speaker affixed to the structure and a recorder connected to the speaker for, when activated, supplying to the speaker, for continuous broadcast thereby, an infrasonic signal which naturally causes the birds to avoid the structure. In one embodiment, the signal has a frequency close to that of a natural topographic feature and causes the birds to avoid the structure based on the workings of the innate navigational system of the birds. In another embodiment, the recorder supplies a signal which reproduces or mimics the sound of thunder and/or the sound of a lightning strike.

Abstract: An emergency response system including a smoke detector and an evacuation guide. The emergency response system and evacuation guide are separate components removably attached to each other, and each has a shape that includes a long, narrow neck and a curved handle, which permits both the smoke detector and evacuation guide to be installed by hanging each from a door knob. The smoke detector includes, in addition to means for sensing smoke and means for emitting an alarm, a radio transmitter that generates and transmits an activation signal in the form of radio waves. The radio waves are detected by a radio receiver in the evacuation guide. Upon receipt of the activation signal, a digital recording and playback device delivers a message to occupants of the home or building. A flashlight contained within the evacuation guide also is illuminated.

Abstract: When a person first enters an unfamiliar work space, it is useful for that person to know what devices are present in the space and often the person will spend the first few minutes looking around, effectively carrying out an inventory of the devices present. In order to simplify this process the devices are arranged to announce their existence by sound in response to a prompt, such as a handclap. To avoid the announcements being made all at once in an unintelligible manner, the devices interact with each other to order their announcements so that each device announcement is, at least in due course, made uninterrupted by announcements from other devices. Typically, this interaction involves the devices using a collision-detection and back-off protocol applied to the announcements themselves.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the automatic advance warning of imminent automatic door closure to passengers of public transportation vehicles. Comprised of a panel mounted above the automatic door, consisting of an alarm light, a message display area, and a speaker capable of producing audible alarm warnings as well as audible verbal warning messages, it is capable of warning incoming passengers that automatic door closure is imminent. When a door close signal is received from existing door control circuitry, the apparatus is activated and it produces the audible and visual warning messages. After an appropriate delay period the audible and visual warning devices are deactivated and a door close signal is issued to the existing automatic doors and associated door safety guard circuitry.

Abstract: A speech or phrase emitting celebration device, in the nature of a piñata, includes a longitudinal axial channel within which is placed a complementally sized integrated circuit (“IC”) including a library of pre-programmed voice chips having phrases selected by random. The circuit is responsive to impacts or shocks upon a fanciful housing of the device sufficient to actuate a shock sensor switch thereof. A speaker, in electrical communication with the circuit board of the integrated circuit, is in mechanical communication with a speaker at an end of the channel so that the emitted phrase may be heard by those in the vicinity of the device. A hollow cylindrical sensor may be disposed within the interior channel to provide appropriate input to the shock sensor switch, or a more sensitive discrete element sensor may be used.

Abstract: A sound producing device adapted for use in a public or private rest room. The device is located within the room, preferably mounted on a wall of a cubicle in the rest room and can be activated to produce a sound upon a person entering the cubicle such that the sound so produced covers up the normal bodily noises of a person using the rest room. In one embodiment, there are a plurality of cubicles with a single sound producing device that emanates sound into each of the cubicles and there is a sensor associated with at least substantially all of the plurality of cubicles.

Abstract: A system (100) for communicating multimedia messages includes a multimedia message server (102) that is operable to transmit (1404, 1406, 1408) visual media, a vibration melody (1200), and an audio segment (1300) that is preferably filtered (1402) to exclude frequencies of the vibration melody (1200) through a network (104) to a client device (106), and is operable to, preferably at a later time, to transmit instructions (1410) to the client device (106) to output the vibration melody (1200), audio segment (1300) and visual media. At the client device, (106) the audio segment (1300) and the vibration melody (1200) and visual media are preferably stored (1504, 1508, 1512) in a memory (608) and in response to the instruction signal are read (1616, 1518, 1520) from the memory (608), decoded (1522, 1524, 1526) and output (1528, 1530, 1532) to a user. The vibration melody (1200) and the audio segment (1300) are preferably applied at least partially concurrently applied to an electromechanical transducer (212).

Abstract: A picture frame or a doorbell having warning function includes a main body consisting of a front housing, a rear housing and a transparent plate for placing photos or pictures. The main body is provided with a sensor hole, a speaker, an electronic control circuit and/or an emission circuit to deliver signals to a receive circuit of a subsidiary device positioned at any location in a house (in different rooms or on different stories). When the sensor of the main electronic control circuit senses any unusual light sources, the speaker of the main device can send out warning sounds, and the signals will be delivered to the receive circuit of the subsidiary device through the emission circuit to let the speaker of the subsidiary device give out warning sounds at the same time.

Abstract: Due to the presence of various environmental condition detectors in the home and businesses such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors. natural gas detectors, etc., each having individual but similar sounding alarm patterns, it can be difficult for occupants of such dwellings to immediately determine the specific type of environmental condition that exists during an alarm condition. The present invention comprises an environmental condition detector using both tonal pattern alarms and pre-recorded voice messages to indicate information about the environmental condition being sensed. Single-station battery-powered and 120VAC detectors are described as are multiple-station interconnected 120VAC powered detectors. The pre-recorded voice messages describe the type of environmental condition detected or the location of the environmental condition detector sensing the condition. or both. in addition to the tonal pattern alarm. Provisions are made for multi-lingual pre-recorded voice messages.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with law enforcement during vehicle travel and associated methods are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a department server in communication with a vehicle computer and also in communication with a plurality of law enforcement databases. The vehicle computer includes mobile data communications software and officer communications enhancing software. The officer communications enhancing software preferably includes one or more of an audio communicator to transmit enhanced audio law enforcement data received from the mobile data communications software to the officer, an incident form completing enhancer to generate and populate incident forms, and a quick mapper to quickly generate and display a site overview map such as a top plan street view to an officer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer driving circuit has a main oscillator stage, a buffer circuit, and a voltage-doubling circuit. The main oscillator stage includes a frequency-swept signal generator that can be configured to provide different outputs to the buffers, which in turn provide the output to the voltage-doubling circuit, which supplies the piezoelectric transducer, causing it to mechanically deform and produce audible sounds of different types.

Abstract: An annunciator device operable to record and store a message can be disposed in close proximity to a user for playback of the message if the user becomes incapacitated or otherwise unable to respond. The annunciator device includes an actuator or button to initiate recording or playback of the message. A mode selector switch determines whether recording or playback will occur. Once recorded, the message is stored in a memory and can be broadcast to others by triggering the actuator to initiate playback. The stored message can contain information such as name, address, medical conditions, persons to contact, and other information which may assist emergency personnel, bystanders, and others in providing appropriate care and attention should the user become incapacitated or unable to respond.

Abstract: There are provided a mobile device that is equipped with a musical composition-reproducing section and capable of curtailing the battery drain as much as possible, and a mobile device that prevents the quality of reproduced musical tones from being degraded even if the voltage level of the battery lowers. A battery voltage detector monitors an voltage level of a battery. The musical composition-reproducing section is controlled such that the number of parts of the musical composition reproduced by the musical composition-reproducing section is reduced when the monitored voltage level of the battery becomes lower than a reference value.

Abstract: A standby instrument, such as a standby attitude indicator, including a display, an attitude sensor module, and a speech synthesizer connected to the attitude sensor module. The standby instrument is controllable to cause the speech synthesizer to audibly speak attitude information generated by the attitude sensor module, thereby providing attitude information to a pilot even when a view of the standby instrument is impaired by, e.g., smoke.

Abstract: Due to the presence of various environmental condition detectors in the home and businesses such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas detectors, etc., each having individual but similar sounding alarm patterns, it can be difficult for occupants of such dwellings to immediately determine the specific type of environmental condition that exists during an alarm condition. The present invention comprises an environmental condition detector using both tonal pattern alarms and pre-recorded voice messages to indicate information about the environmental condition being sensed. Single-station battery-powered and 120VAC detectors are described as are multiple-station interconnected 120VAC powered detectors. The pre-recorded voice messages describe the type of environmental condition detected or the location of the environmental condition detector sensing the condition, or both, in addition to the tonal pattern alarm. Provisions are made for multi-lingual pre-recorded voice messages.

Abstract: An aural warning system for buses is provided which comprises a logic controller circuit board in electrical communication with an audible alarm. The logic controller circuit board actuates the audible alarm in a preprogrammed response to input data. The input data is provided by one or more loading lights which sending an on/off signal to the logic controller circuit board, a speed sensor which provides information as to the speed of the bus to the logic controller circuit board, and an open/closed switch providing information regarding the open/closed status of one or more doors of the bus. The preprogrammed response actuates the audible alarm when the one or more loading lights are on, the speed sensor when the speed of the bus is less than a threshold speed and the one or more doors are closed.