Other

Coulter Systems Corporation

Coulter Information Systems, Inc.

Harold J Weber

Manfred R Kuehnle

Kenneth D Fraser

Kenneth A Lindblom

Michael J Szymanski

Salvatore F D'Amato

Edward H Weitzen

Jurgen Kruse

James C Compton

Robert M Fleming

C Frederick Ekman

John N Poulakis

Donald S Cleveland

A portable remote controller for use with an accessory television device, such as a cable converter, satellite receiver, VCR, DVD player, delayed playback machine or video camera, particularly when used in conjunction with a televisor. The remote controller includes a provision for enabling a manual entry of a channel selection preference or other user determined command. User entry is usually accomplished through a finger actuated keypad submission, resulting in a command encoded wireless command signal being developed by the remote controller and sent to the controlled accessory device. As a result, the accessory device such as a cable box responds to the user's channel selection entry or other command and delivers an intermediate signal on a predetermined channel, commonly channel 3 or channel 4, that couples with the televisor. The remote controller simultaneously sends a preset value encoded wireless command signal directly to the televisor which assures that the televisor input is maintained compatible with the intermediate signal delivered on the predetermined channel by the accessory television device. For example, if the intermediate signal is delivered on channel 3, the televisor must be set to channel 3. The invention's essence is to reassert and thereby unequivocally maintain the necessitous intermediate signal compatibility between the televisor and the accessory television device every time the user submits a channel selection change or other command to the accessory television device.

Remote control system providing an automatic assertion of a preset selection value concurrent with a submission of a user preferred selection value

A handheld remote controller for a televisor that automatically prefixes a single-digit program channel selection, typically between and with a leading zero in response to a prolonged single digit keybutton actuation exceeding about 3 seconds or by an intended ersatz key entry, such as a star &ldquo;*&rdquo; key, either preceding or following the channel digit key entry. A HUSH control provides audio volume reduction intermediate between mute and normal volume levels, obtainable by pressing a HUSH keybutton, or automatically hushed concurrent with a program channel change. Maintaining a televisor's necessitous channel or selection when used in conjunction with a cable box, VCR or other intermediate device is assured by concurrently sending a reiterative channel (or channel ) tuning command to the televisor whenever a program channel change command or other function signal is dispatched to the cable box, VCR or other television signal tuning apparatus.

Remote controller for a multi-device television receiving system providing channel number auto-completion, presettable audio hush level and base channel auto-reaffirm

An electrical timer which controls the ON-time of a light bulb circuit hooked up to a power source by way of an ordinary power switch. Usual operation of the timer is such that, when the power switch (which is initially OFF) is turned ON by a person, the light bulb which is connected to the switch by way of the timer will first turn-on FULL brightness for a period of time, after which it will DIM-down to about 30 to 50 percent brightness. In a fundamental version of the timer, the light bulb will remain in the dimmed-down mode until a person turns the light switch OFF. Another version allows that after a period of time in the dimmed-down mode, the light bulb will be fully shut OFF by the timer. The dimmed-down mode may also be arranged to occur in two or more level steps, i.e. part-DIM and full-DIM for example, with each step having a finite and substantial duration. A touch-strip may also be provided in which, when 'touched' by a person, body capacitance serves to reset a dimmed-down light to full-brightness. The solid state modular timer may work in conjunction with any ordinary ' two-terminal' wall-type electrical switch, such as commonly used in building construction.

Dim-down electric light time switch method and apparatus

A.c. line operated controller which provides solid-state switching of a.c. power flow, together with producing a supplementary source of low d.c. power for operation ancillary circuits. Operation is obtained through electrical connection that is in series with only one side of the a.c. power circuit. Device utilizes a thyristor for a.c. power switch control. A small residual potential which is devised to appear across the ON-state thyristor is rectified to produce the low d.c. power level. When the thyristor is OFF, the line voltage potential across the thyristor is reduced and rectified to produce the low d.c. power level. Turning the thyristor OFF is attained by current starving of the thyristor gate electrode by a gate shunting semiconductor switch. Device is shown to be utilized in 'two terminal' apparatus producing time delayed switching of a light, as a controller for producing the illusion of a flickering flame from an ordinary light bulb, as a light flasher, and as a 'touch-controlled' a.c. power switch for lighting.

Electric a.c power switch controller and d.c. power supply method and

A tradesman may identify which circuit is connected with any number of outlets or other terminations in an electrical wiring system, such as commonly found in buildings, through the use of a handheld, carry-about detector-indicator device. Operation relies upon having prearranged excitation of each of several circuits typical of the usual building power distribution through introducing unique tag signals into each of the various wiring circuits by connecting a tag signal exciter to the building's wiring, usually at the main power box. The tradesman then may merely walk about and 'plug' the indicator into various outlets or, by a suitable adaptor or clip leads, connect with lamp receptacles and the like, whereupon the indicator will give display of a 'number', for example between '1' and '8', or some other such display which will promptly tell the user which circuit his detection indicator is coupled with.

Electric outlet and cable tracing method and apparatus

The totalized count obtained from a seriate train of signal pulses is stored in a programmable memory means as a permanent state change in a separate memory cell for each count increment. Memory economy is had since each count increment preferably is stored in its respective memory cell as a singular bit change. Display of the totalized count is provided, usually as visual digital characters, through decoding and displaying of the memory address byte signal. When power has been interrupted, or the memory address has otherwise been upset, the totalizing counter is reset. It then quickly runs-up, under control of a CLOCK signal, through all the changed state memory cells until the lowest order yet unchanged cell is addressed, whereupon a state detector produces a signal that inhibits the clock and enables the display of the instant memory address thus obtained. Useful application as a permanent, nonresettable motor vehicle odometer is taught, including reservation of some memory space for retention of key indicia, such as a vehicle identification number (VIN), which may be read out to authenticate the vehicle's association with the displayed odometer mileage. A resettable vehicle trip odometer is also inclusively shown. Overall result is a bright digital display odometer indication that has intrinsically permanent, accumulated travel mileage storage and which resists tampering to an extent greater than obtained with ordinary mechanical numeral wheel odometers.

Tamper proof digital value accumulator and display method and apparatus

Apparatus and method for producing color proofs electrophotographically. A platen carrying an electrophotographic member is translated sequentially past functional stations including a charging station, an exposure station, a toning station, a transfer station and a cleaning station. Once toning is completed, the platen carrying the toner image is translated to the transfer station. An intermediate transfer medium is disposed at the transfer station as the sole receptor of the toner image from the electrophotographic member. A roller effects transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer medium and the toner image carrier. Direct transfer mode or offset transfer mode electively is provided at the transfer station. For offset mode, the toner image on the photoconductive layer involves first transfer to the intermediate transfer medium and from the latter to the transfer medium. The direct transfer mode is effected by employing, as an intermediate transfer medium, the same material as the transfer medium. Successive color separation transparencies are substituted in sequence respectively to form the finished color proof.

Electrophotographic imaging apparatus, particularly for color proofing

Electrophotographic imaging apparatus, particularly for color proofing, is provided for normal daylight operation including a light-tight housing having a framework mounting plural spaced functional processing stations for charging, imaging, toning, transfer and, optionally, cleaning, all interior of the housing. A platen assembly mounting an electrophotographic member is translated along a linear path, the assembly being guided by a rail and a track secured along the entire length of the framework. A copyboard is disposed below the carriage within the imaging station and carries a transparency. The electrophotographic member is translated past the charging station for charging same and brought to the imaging station where the copyboard is raised, to establish an intimate engagement with the member established and exposed to an interior disposed radiant energy source. After exposure, the copyboard is lowered and the member translated to the toning station where one of plural available toning modules has been raised to intercept the platen whereby to establish a toning gap for toning with liquid toner carried by said one module during passage past said module. The member next is translated to the transfer station for transfer to a pre-wet sheet of transfer medium. A registration system is provided at both imaging and transfer stations to assure registration between the member and the transparency on the one hand and the member and the transfer medium on the other hand at the respective station whereby all functional tolerance relationships being maintained independent of the framework.

Electrophotographic imaging apparatus and method particularly for color

Driving aid apparatus for determining the best, most economical operating conditions for a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. The input member rotational rate of a torque converter coupled with the automatic transmission is measured. The rotational rate of the output member of the torque converter is also measured. A distinct difference may normally exist between these two rates, when a load is applied to the torque converter output, due to 'slip' through the torque converter. The extent of this slip is in part proportional to the torque transmitted through the torque converter and, therefore, by a determination made from the difference between the two rates in combination with other key parameters affecting torque converter performance, the relative engine output torque can be found. Through utilizing this relative torque factor, in combination with other engine parameter signals such as manifold vacuum, operating temperature, and throttle position, the relative operating steadiness and net efficiency of the instant operating conditions of the overall vehicle is derived and displayed for the driver. This display enables the driver to operate the vehicle in a manner leading to uniform performance and maximum fuel economy. Through a control available for driver adjustment, the computed indicator responses are further modified to best suit the driving habits of the driver. A unique vehicle performance profile memory adds the dimension of tailoring the computed responses to the exact performance characteristics of the attendant vehicle.

Driving aid indicator for economical operation of automatic transmission

A method and apparatus for producing a uniform elongate corona is provided. The apparatus includes at least one stationary corona electrode coupled to a supply of corona voltage. A moving ground electrode having a series of equally-spaced grounding points is coupled to a bias circuit that returns to ground. The moving ground electrode may be arranged to form a helix on a motor-driven insulating rod, with the longitudinal axis of the rod parallel to the stationary elongate corona electrode at a predetermined distance therefrom. The supply of corona power provides a high negative D.C. voltage or a series of high frequency negative high voltage pulses. The preferred bias circuits include one of a self-bias provided by a high resistance; a high frequency pulsating D.C. power supply circuit; or a fixed value negative D.C. power supply circuit. The moving ground electrode may also embody a moving endless belt having rectangular openings that serve to form a ladder having crossbars of uniform size and spacing within the endless belt, with the crossbars extending perpendicular to the stationary corona electrode and defining the grounding points. The method includes the steps of applying a source of corona power to at least one stationary elongate corona electrode, and moving an elongate ground electrode having a series of equally-spaced grounding points such that the grounding points move along an axis defined parallel to the stationary corona electrode, thereby effecting a substantially uniform corona discharge along the length of the stationary corona electrode.

Corona producing method and apparatus

A metal detector apparatus particularly adapted as a locator of small, usually obscure, isolated objects such as treasure items, antipersonnel mines, weapons, shrapnel, and other such items. The detector is of the portable transmitter-receiver type having a dual balanced receiving loop, together with a transmitter loop co-balanced relative with the receiving loop arrangement, whereby the unique loop sensing setup, together with a dual channel receiver, provides a separate 'right' and 'left' bearing indication to the operator of the obscure object's whereabouts. The imbalance between the normally balanced loop arrangement electromagnetic fields, brought about by the nearby presence of a metallic object acts to produce a relative indicative difference in each receiving channel which provides the bearing, while the relative combined indication magnitude gives an indication of proximate distance between the detector and the sought object. The detector provides an automatic, digitally advanced, sequential step-like change in the overall receiver sensitivity through a range of discrete values of responsiveness. Each discrete response value recurs at a related, finite repetition rate which results in an overall characteristic stepped swept gain effect, thereby producing instantaneous variegated values of signal level which are detected at finite threshold levels and thereby usually adapted into a pair of audio frequency tones which, when coupled to an operator's ears, serve to give a stereotonic effect with the average pitch indicating distance, while the pitch difference indicates bearing.

Frequency dependent pulsed gain modulated metallic object detector

Portable concealed structure locating and surveying translator apparatus, useful for tracing the bearing and lay of cables, pipes, and other expansive structures. The translator responds to the electromagnetic field radiating from a buried structure which is excited by a constant amplitude, fixed frequency high frequency a.c. signal. The translator is directional, providing bearing indication in its preferred form. Two noncoincident receiving loops, or inducers, are closely oriented to receive the structure radiated field lines with differing positional related efficacity. The received signal levels produced in each of the receiving loops is coupled with a receiver which includes a provision for the automatic, digitally advanced, sequential step-by-step change in overall sensitivity through a range of discrete values of responsiveness. Each discrete response value recurs at a related, finite repetition rate which results in an overall characteristic stepped swept gain effect, thereby producing instantaneous variegated values of signal level which are detected as finite threshold levels and thereby usually adapted into a pair of audio frequency tones which, when coupled to an operator's ears, serve to give a stereotonic effect with the balance of apparent pitch therebetween indicating on-course bearing, while the relative pitch imbalance wrought between the right and the left ear associated earphone gives a sense of bearing directionality to the operator.

Frequency dependent pulsed gain modulated concealed structure locator

A method and apparatus is provided for toning a latent electrostatic image on an exposed photoconductive surface of an electrophotographic member, using liquid toner comprising toner particles suspended in an electrically insulating liquid dispersant. Plural, generally identical, toner modules are arranged side by side at a first level, each module comprising a toner tray having a development electrode mounted on the upper surface thereof. The development electrode has a planar upper surface. A motor operates an articulated linkage which causes the tray to be elevated to a second level for toning, one of the modules being selected from the others. Antifriction bearing surfaces are mounted on the upper surface of the tray at opposite ends of the development electrode. The antifriction surfaces extend upwardly of the development electrode a short distance slightly above the upper surface thereof to define a gap between the development electrode and the surface to be toned. A toggle actuated control valve can be provided to direct the toner flow over the electrode in the direction of the movement of said surface, changing the direction of flow during the reciprocal movement of said surface. Alternatively, the flow of toner may be continuous over the planar electrode. During toning, a bias voltage is applied between the development electrode and the photoconductive surface to establish an electrical field within the gap for assisting toning. The charge level to which the toner responds is above the residual level thereby leaving the nonimaged or background area of the photoconductive surface free of toner particles.

Toning system for electrostatic imaging apparatus

Documents are encoded with at least one thin, transparent coating, normally invisible, but having a readily detectable physical characteristic such as, electrical conductivity, electrical impedance, electrical capacitance, electroluminescence. Each document consists of a substrate on which is applied (1) at least one of the thin coatings, and (2) conventional printing, preferably intaglio. The thin coating may be applied before or after the printing. The coating includes particles driven into the surface to a substantial depth. The uncoated substrate is free of the detectable physical characteristic. The coating is confined to a limited area of the substrate surface and itself constitutes a code or is laid down in a pattern for identification. A second coating can be applied so that all areas of the surface have the same appearance to mask visual detection of the first coating. The first coating can be of such a nature as to defeat electrostatic copying, particular, color copying, by effecting a discernible difference between the original and the copy. Each coded coating is detectable by a machine which is capable of quickly distinguishing a genuine document from a counterfeit document.

Encoded security document

Ignition foiling device which serves to interfere with the efficient operation of a vehicle ignition system after a brief, predetermined period of time has elapsed subsequent to the unauthorized start-up of the vehicle engine. The foiling device thereby serves to thwart the theft, or other confiscative act directed at a protected vehicle, through first allowing the vehicle engine to start-up in an apparently normal manner and operate for a brief period of time, thereby allowing the illicit operator to drive the vehicle into an attention getting location. The ignition system then becomes irregularly interrupted in such a way that the illusion of misfiring and performance malfunction of the engine is created which serves to discourage the illicit operator from continuing with the attempted theft. The invention couples with the usual components comprising a spark ignition vehicle engine and, through a key or secret switch, it can be defeated by a legitimate operator while an unlawful operator will most likely be unable to overcome the invention's crippling effect on the vehicle's operation.

Growing community of inventors

Sherborn, MA, United States of America

Harold J Weber