An owner oriented system for locating lost or stolen property comprising a GPS module, micro computer, a modem and a phone installed in a vehicle; regularly and automatically computing position data; and, under control of a program, storing novel position data in a buffer and downloading upon proper request from an incoming call.

Owner oriented system for locating lost or stolen property

A method and apparatus to estimate slopes accurately, as well as to eliminate slope estimation errors, taking error generating conditions into account. The slope on which the vehicle is running is estimated from the vehicle speed and the engine rpm value. The result is entered to the slope estimation unit through a low pass filter, then to the navigation unit. A noise eliminator is provided to the output of the slope estimation unit so that noises can be eliminated, for example, during gear-shifting or for a certain time after the gear shifting is completed by obtaining the "gear shifting" information from the automatic transmission control. The preceding estimated slope value is held during the noise elimination period.

Method and apparatus for eliminating noise in a slope estimation arrangement for a motor vehicle

A process for preparing coated detergent granules in a fluidized bed is provided. The fluidized bed is operated at a flux number of at least about 3.5 and/or a Stokes Number of greater than 1.0. Upon drying, the resultant detergent particles have improved appearance and flow properties and may be packaged and sold as a detergent material or mixed with various other detergent ingredients to provide a fully formulated detergent composition.

Process for coating detergent granules in a fluidized bed

Apparatus and method for allowing an operator of a transit vehicle to make public address announcements to passengers internal and external to the vehicle. The safety of the vehicle and passengers is maintained through providing a hands-free directional microphone having noise canceling characteristics. The microphone is used as an input device for receiving an audio signal and provides the signal to a processing module that converts the signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is then processed by a digital signal processor to cancel undesirable noise common to a transit vehicle. The noiseless signal can then be converted into an analog signal and recorded within the memory of the public address system where, upon needed, the signal can be transferred to an output device such as a speaker system internal or external to the vehicle. After playback, the recorded message can also be easily repeated by means of a repeat switch.

Public address system and method for an urban transit vehicle

The hands-free, two-way communication radio includes a multiple channel transmitter/receiver having one of the channels designated a primary communication channel. The transmitter/receiver is also operable in a scan mode to scan multiple channels for communication signals. The radio also includes an interface operatively connected to the multiple channel transmitter/receiver and a hands-free microphone operatively connected to the transmitter/receiver through the interface. A foot pedal actuator is provided for keying the hands-free microphone to allow transmission of a message over the multiple channel transmitter/receiver. Further, the radio includes a switching mechanism operative in response to actuation of the foot pedal for providing a control signal to the multiple channel transmitter/receiver. This control signal results in the multiple channel transmitter/receiver switching to the primary communication channel for transmission of the message. The invention also includes the combination of the interface, hands-free microphone and foot pedal actuator and switching system for retrofit conversion of a standard radio to hands-free operation.

Hands-free two-way radio communication system

For use in a vehicle having radio equipment including at least a microphone and a transmitter, apparatus including a second microphone and an adapter for connecting both of said microphones to the transmitter. Switching means are arranged for selectively operating the second microphone, with the switching means and second microphone being disposed for operation without compromising vehicle control and for operation during a distress situation such as a hold-up or the like. Circuitry is provided for enhancing operation of the apparatus by providing timing, amplification, noise suppression and impedance matching functions.

William R Wesserling

Papers

Vehicle safety and crime deterrent communication system