Other

Rf Code, Inc.

USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Canoga Controls Corporation

Steve J Koerner

David Gerard Worthy

Ralph James Koerner

Roc A Lastinger

John J Coulthard

Donald G Quist

Carl M Zorzi

William S Wight

Ralph J Koerner

Michael J Wall

Anthony E Lifur

Milton G Bienhoff

Martin C Henderson

John E Higbee

A series of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are delineated. An RFID system comprises an RFID signpost having a transmitter for transmitting signals of a predefined type, and a receiver for receiving signals of the predefined type, wherein the transmitter for transmitting signals of the predefined type cannot transmit until a determination is made that the predefined type of signal is not present at the receiver. Another RFID system comprises an RFID signpost including a transmitter having a continuous power dissipation rating, and a processor for controlling the transmitter such that peak pulse power of a transmission from the transmitter multiplied by its duty cycle does not exceed the continuous power dissipation rating for the transmitter.

RFID systems and methods employing infrared localization

A series of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are delineated. One such RFID system comprises an RFID signpost, and a plurality of infrared transmitters, wherein each infrared transmitter of the plurality of infrared transmitters is arranged to cover, when transmitting, a distinct sector relative to the RFID signpost. Another RFID system comprises an RFID signpost having a transmitter for transmitting signals of a predefined type, and a receiver for receiving signals of the predefined type, wherein the transmitter for transmitting signals of the predefined type cannot transmit until a determination is made that the predefined type of signal is not present at the receiver. Still another RFID system comprises an RFID signpost including a transmitter having a continuous power dissipation rating, and a processor for controlling the transmitter such that peak pulse power of a transmission from the transmitter multiplied by its duty cycle does not exceed the continuous power dissipation rating for the transmitter.

A system which allows multiple senders to asynchronously transmit identification codes via a common communication channel (e.g., RF) to enable a central monitor to identify the presence (or absence) of each sender within the monitor's detection zone. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a uniquely encoded identification frame. A frame, in accordance with the invention, is comprised of pulses spaced to minimize pulse collisions and configured to tolerate occasional collisions without impairing the monitor's ability to separately identify each transmitting sender. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a unique identification frame characterized by a pulse pattern comprised of active intervals spaced by inactive (or 'quiet') intervals. The inactive intervals have variable length durations which are preferably pseudorandomly selected so that each sender defines a unique sequence of inactive interval durations.

Identification system for monitoring the presence / absence of members of a defined set

A method for determining whether an radio frequency identification (RFID) device is detected, includes: (a) selecting a plurality of different antenna patterns from a predetermined multiplicity of antenna patterns; (b) determining a plurality of binary results; (c) selecting, from a plurality of predetermined methods, a method for forming a logical combination; and (d) determining that the identification device is detected by forming a logical combination of the plurality of binary results according to the selected method. Each binary result is responsive to whether a respective communication link provides a respective signal having a respective amplitude exceeding a respective threshold. Each communication link is operative in accordance with at least one of the selected antenna patterns.

Identification device detection using multiple signal combination

A system which allows multiple senders to asynchronously transmit identification codes via a common communication channel (e.g., RF) to enable a central monitor to identify the presence (or absence) of each sender within the monitor's detection zone. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a uniquely encoded identification frame. A frame, in accordance with the invention, is comprised of pulses spaced to minimize pulse collisions and configured to tolerate occasional collisions without impairing the monitor's ability to separately identify each transmitting sender. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a unique identification frame characterized by a pulse pattern comprised of active intervals spaced by inactive (or &ldquo;quiet&rdquo;) intervals. The inactive intervals have variable length durations which are preferably pseudorandomly selected so that each sender defines a unique sequence of inactive interval durations.

Identification system for monitoring the presence/absence of members of a defined set

A locator according to various aspects of the present invention includes a receiver and a processor. The receiver receives several signals, each signal having respective indicia of identification device presence within a respective communication pattern. The processor performs a method for determining whether a first identification device is located within a zone. The method includes the following steps performed in any order. A first step of determining, in response to receiver signals, a respective reliability of communication between the receiver and a plurality of identification devices. The plurality includes the first identification device and at least one second identification device. A first and a second communication pattern each respectively has a periphery such that communication with a provided identification device when located beyond the periphery is less reliable than communication with the provided identification device when located within the periphery. The first identification device is located within the periphery of the first pattern. Each second identification device is located beyond the periphery of the first pattern and within the periphery of the second pattern. And, the first pattern has a periphery substantially within the zone. A second step of comparing each respective reliability of communication to a respective threshold to identify validly present identification devices. And, a third step of determining that the first identification device is within the zone in accordance with whether the first identification device is validly present within the first pattern, the second identification device is validly present within the second pattern, and the second identification device is not validly present within the first pattern.

Zone based radio frequency identification

A ball joint gimbal system which provides for a precise line-of-sight stabilization of a gimballed mirror that rides on a ball and its associated support structure. The mirror is positioned by four braided lines. The brained lines are driven by four servo motor with each servo motor being coupled to one of four capstan shafts. Each of the braided lines is wound around one of the four capstan shafts. The braided lines are positioned by optical shaft encoders. The low inertia of the gimballed mirror and the positioning of the mirror by the braided lines result in an extremely accurate and fast scanning optical pointing system. Inertial gimbal stabilization of the line of sight to a target is by a stabilization algorithm utilizing body rate information from body sensors which are components of the missile for providing autopilot and navigation functions for the missile.

Ball joint gimbal system

A balance mechanism incorporates the housing of an aerosol delivery device which accepts and supports a cylindrical medicament cartridge. An unstable balance mechanism produces a definitive toggling action between mechanical states at the specified depletion level at which reliable dosage metering is no longer assured. In one embodiment, a fulcrum structure is formed in one side of an inhaler housing that causes the housing and the cartridge to pivot or rotate about an axis to indicate the depletion of the useful mass of the contents of the cartridge. In this embodiment, the rotation of the housing and cylindrical container is about the pivot axis located at the apex of the fulcrum formed in the housing when the housing is supported on a horizontal surface. The mechanism can also utilize the known mass of an associated mouthpiece cover or other bias weight to modify the balance criterion so as to assess whether the vessel contains a minimum reserve quantity of medicament above and beyond the reliable dosage metering level. A stable balance mechanism may additionally or alternatively be incorporated in the housing of the inhaler for assessing the continuous state of depletion of the aerosol vessel ranging from completely full to completely empty. The stable balance mechanism incorporates a pivoting needle that indicates an analog estimate of the depletion level.

Inhaler device with means for assessing its depletion level

A triaxial magnetic heading sensing apparatus includes nulling coils and netoresistive sensors having inputs and outputs. The nulling coils are arranged in parallel relation to three orthogonal planes intersecting at a common center point. The sensors are disposed along orthogonal axes in parallel relation to the orthogonal planes and in close proximity to the center point. Each sensor has a bridge configuration balanced in the absence of an applied external magnetic field and unbalanced in the presence one. Also, a signal generator is connected to the inputs of the sensors for exciting the sensors with a bipolar voltage waveform exhibiting alternating positive and negative voltage polarities punctuated by 'off' states of zero volts. Further, a voltage integrator and low pass filter are connected in series with the output of a respective one of the sensors for generating an error signal representative of an imbalance due to the presence of an applied external magnetic field and for coupling the input and output of each nulling coil and of each sensor into a servo control loop such that each sensor is driven by the error signal to a magnetic nulling condition with zero steady state error. A pick-off resistor is connected to the output of the low pass filter for outputting a representation of the nulling current to provide a measure of the applied external magnetic field.

Triaxial magnetic heading sensing apparatus having magnetaresistors and

The data acquisition portion of a data signal processing system has a nonnear data compression and conversion arrangement and a data decompression and scaling arrangement. The non-linear data compression and conversion arrangement employs graduated reference voltage levels provided by resistors having graduated, unequal values, such as values being related as a geometric progression. The graduated form of the reference voltage levels provide a form of data compression wherein large value and small value measurements will have essentially the same fractional resolution. The data decompression and scaling arrangement can decompress previously compressed digital signals and limit the digital data width of such signals in systems which have input dynamic range requirements greater than their output resolution requirements.

Non-linear data conversion system for dynamic range digital signal

Trailer taillights are electrically controlled in response to the operation of a tow vehicle's taillights. Light emitted by the towing vehicle taillights is detected by electronic light sensors. The sensors are connected to circuits equipped with taillight switching devices for left and right brake or turn indication controlled by level discriminating circuits. The circuit operation involves a threshold of detection which automatically varies in response to the light level sensed in the present and immediate past thus allowing operation in the differing light conditions associated with sunlight and illuminated or non-illuminated tow vehicle running lights. Trailer running lights are controlled principally by detection of the trailer's motion and secondarily by detection of the tow vehicle taillights. Trailer running lights are further controlled by a time delay circuit providing continued operation for a period of time after the trailer comes to rest. An auxiliary inertial deceleration sensor can also provide a trailer braking indication when moderate or strong braking deceleration occurs.

Trailer light connection system

An improved inductive loop structure useful for detecting metal objects such as vehicles on a roadway. The two terminal loop is formed by a conductive wire configured to define two substantially rectangular paths lying side by side in a common plane such that respective sides of the two paths lie adjacent one another. Alternating current is supplied to the terminals of the wire to produce a commonly oriented magnetic field around the adjacent sides of the rectangular paths and an oppositely oriented magnetic field of lesser magnitude around each of the outer sides of said rectangular paths. As a consequence, the field components interact to enhance field strength within the area bounded by said outer sides and reduce field strength outside of that area.

Inductive loop structure for detecting the presence of vehicles over a

Apparatus for use in combination with multiple inductive loops for detecting metal objects, e.g. vehicles, in the immediate vicinity of each of said loops. Each loop may, for example, be a coil of wire buried in a roadway in a plane parallel to the roadway surface. A common oscillator circuit is operatively connected to each loop on a time shared basis with the frequency of oscillation at any time being determined by the inductance of the connected loop. The inductance in turn is dependent on whether or not a vehicle is over the loop. Successive scan cycles are defined with multiple loop phases occurring during each scan cycle. During each loop phase, a different one of the multiple loops is connected to the oscillator circuitry and during a 'period measurement' portion of each loop phase, the loop frequency is monitored by digital circuitry including a loop counter which counts loop oscillator cycles and a duration counter which measures the time duration or period of a certain number of such loop oscillator cycles. The measured time duration (period) is then compared with an historical reference duration (accumulated over prior scan cycles) during a 'calculation and storage' portion of each loop phase to ascertain whether the loop oscillator frequency has increased or decreased. The presence of a vehicle over the loop decreases loop inductance, increases loop frequency, and thus reduces the measured period. A reduction in the measured period by an amount greater than a preselected threshold produces an output signal or 'call' to indicate the vehicle's presence. In order to accommodate loop inductance variations attributable to slowly varying environmental conditions, the historical reference duration is caused to vary or 'adapt' over a plurality of scan cycles in accordance with certain defined criteria. The duration counter counts cycles of a crystal oscillator and is used during each 'period measurement' portion to measure a time duration and during each 'calculation and storage' portion to define sequential control states for the performance of various arithmetic and logic operations.

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Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Steve J Koerner