An encoder for stably detecting the amount of movement of an object. The encoder includes an LED for emitting light toward a rotor plate including slits. An optical sensor generates an ON signal when the amount of emitted light passing through the slits exceeds a threshold value. A current increasing circuit increases the amount of current flowing through the LED when the optical sensor generates an ON signal.

A movement prevention device for a vehicle door latch mechanism includes a body movable between blocking and non-blocking positions in response to sudden changes in inertia on the vehicle, such as during a side impact crash. The device interferes with movement of the handle to prevent unintended opening of the latch mechanism.

A device for holding a transmitter and a receiver for detecting a deformation state of a component. The device includes a first holding part and a first receptacle, the transmitter being disposed on the first holding part via the first receptacle, wherein the first receptacle and the first holding part, together with the component, form at least one of a first connecting element, a first clamp, a first positive fit joint, a first glued joint, and a first welded joint. The device also includes a ...

A movement vector detecting device is provided with a movement vector detecting circuit for detecting a movement vector in each of blocks obtained by dividing an image frame, an edge number detecting circuit for detecting the number of edges in each of the blocks, and an evaluation circuit for evaluating the reliability of the movement vector value detected by the movement vector detecting circiut, based on the number of edges detected by the edge number detecting circuit.

The present invention is directed to a method of producing an instructional tool for teaching an athlete how to develop and maintain a consistent tempo for performing a particular athletic activity. The method includes a step of analyzing the tempo of an athlete as they perform an athletic activity and then composing a song that includes a tempo which matches the tempo of an outstanding performance of the athletic activity. The appropriate tempo of the athletic activity is established by determi...

To provide a movement-detecting altimeter designed so as to be capable of avoiding excessive accumulation of errors. The movement-detecting altimeter has a movement dependent altitude updating unit which updates an indicated altitude when a moving condition is maintained, and which avoids updating of the indicated altitude when the moving condition is not maintained. The movement dependent altitude updating unit has an estimated altitude computation section which obtains an estimated altitude by...

Movement timing stimulators that aid in the relief of the symptoms of neurological movement disorders are provided. In one embodiment, a movement stimulator has a control unit. A stimulator is coupled to an output of the control unit. The stimulator is adapted to provide stimulation to an area of the body of a living subject. A sensor is also coupled to the control unit and is adapted to be disposed external to the body. The sensor is adapted to respond to a physical stimulus and to provide inpu...

Accompanied by the optimization of the possibilities of use of a robot, particularly with regards to low cycle times and high loads, damage to the robot through exceeding the energy absorbable by the structure is still prevented when robot parts strike against the mechanical structure as a result of faults or errors, according to the invention in a method for controlling the movement of a robot, the kinetic energy of moving robot members (G.sub.i g.sub.i+1, . . . , g.sub.n) about an axis (A.sub....

A device for transforming oscillating movement into rotary movement inclu a flexible blade fixed at one end and carrying a pawl in driving engagement with a ratchet wheel at its other free end. Between its ends, the blade has a bent or curved portion and a bearing piece acts on the blade between its bent portion and its fixed end. This bearing piece transforms the oscillating movement of a driving member into an unilateral pressure on the blade, which flexes the blade and causes the pawl to driv...

A rocker bushing for a roller structure for supporting a boat on a trailer bed and having a male and female member formed of two cylindrical portions surrounding the shaft and supporting the roller. Each cylindrical member having a tapered longitudinal portion but terminating in a radially outwardly extending stop flange of increased radial thickness. The bearing surface of the rocker bushing positionally adjacent to the shaft is curved to allow the roller to gimbal or wobble to engage the angle...