Abstract: A traction improvement device provides increased traction to a tracked vehicle. The traction improvement device has two opposing brackets that are connected to opposite edges or flanges of a track of a tracked vehicle. A chain extends between the brackets. At least one of the brackets is a tensioner bracket that is configured to adjust the tension of the chain. The tension adjustment provides tension to the chain extending between the brackets, securing the traction improvement device on the outer surface (or gripping surface) of the track.

Abstract: A railcar configured to transport a payload, the open-topped railcar including left and right sidewalls, forward and rear sidewalls, a left track, and a right track. The left and right sidewalls extend vertically from the floor and include upper edges. The forward and rear sidewalls extend vertically from the floor between the left and right sidewalls to form a payload bay. The left track is positioned near the left sidewall and spaced above the floor and below the upper edge of the left sidewall. The right track is positioned near the right sidewall and spaced above the floor and below the upper edge of the right sidewall. The left track and right track may include a number of pedestals spaced apart from each other and a number of ramps angled diagonally upward from some of the pedestals to upper edges of the forward and rear sidewalls. The left and right tracks are configured to support an independent material moving machine at least partially in the payload bay and/or between the left and right sidewalls.

Abstract: Techniques and methodologies are disclosed for minimizing inaccuracies in distance measurements and location determinations for autonomous vehicles or targets ranging to subsets of beacons. Such techniques and methodologies can be used to better control (e.g., navigate) an autonomous vehicle in an area and/or along a pathway, or trajectory.

Abstract: Techniques and methodologies are disclosed for minimizing inaccuracies in distance measurements and location determinations for autonomous vehicles or targets ranging to subsets of beacons. Such techniques and methodologies can be used to better control (e.g., navigate) an autonomous vehicle in an area and/or along a pathway, or trajectory.

Abstract: A pocket door system with a constant rail system provides a pocket door adapted for sliding into and out of an enclosed wall pocket to enable or prevent egress through a framed door opening. The pocket door includes a roller mechanism mounted at a top surface and a slotted lower guide mechanism mounted at a bottom surface. A floor track with a vertically extending, flat, planar protruding plate element is mounted upon a floor surface is secluded within the enclosed wall pocket. The vertically extending, flat, planar protruding plate element is insertable into the corresponding vertically extending flat, planar slot of the guide mechanism. The roller mechanism of the pocket door system engages an upper track as the lower guide mechanism engages with the protruding element guide wherein the pocket door slides into and out of the enclosed wall pocket without wobbling and dislocating from the tracks during use.

Abstract: A computer system for obtaining feedback at a location of service includes data regarding each of a set of clients and software that presents survey questions to the clients and receives answers to the survey questions. If an answer to any survey question indicates a situation in which an employee needs to be notified, a notification message is created including a subset of the data regarding the client based upon a classification of the employee who is to be notified and the message is sent to the employee based upon a transmission method preferred by the employee.

Abstract: Techniques and methodologies are disclosed for minimizing inaccuracies in distance measurements and location determinations for autonomous vehicles or targets ranging to subsets of beacons. Such techniques and methodologies can be used to better control (e.g., navigate) an autonomous vehicle in an area and/or along a pathway, or trajectory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a navigation unit and base station used for determining location. A plurality of base stations are initialized to determine their location relative to each other. At the navigation unit, the time of arrival of at least one signal from each of the plurality of base stations is measured. From this, the location of the navigation unit relative to the plurality of base stations may be directly calculated using a closed solution. In one embodiment, a time of arrival technique is used and in another embodiment a time difference of arrival technique is used. Preferably an ultra-wide band frequency is utilized.

Abstract: A computer system for obtaining feedback at a location of service includes one touch screen computer terminal devices located at the location of service across multiple entities. One computer software module is for authoring a survey, the survey comprising a plurality of survey question with at least one of the survey questions having an answer value configured to trigger a notification signal. Another computer software module presents the survey at the touch screen computer terminal(s) and for obtaining respondent answers to the survey questions and another computer software module monitors the respondent answers and if any of the respondent answers have the answer value configured to trigger the notification signal, the computer software module that monitors the respondent answers triggers the notification signal. Certain statistical data is shared between multiple entities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the location of a target. The method includes initializing a set of base stations to determine their location relative to each other. At the target, the time of arrival of at least one signal from each of the plurality of base stations Is measured. From this, the location of the target relative to the plurality of base stations may be directly calculated using a closed solution. In one embodiment, a time of arrival technique is used and in another embodiment a time difference of arrival technique is used. Preferably an ultra-wide band frequency is utilized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the location of a target. The method includes initializing a set of base stations to determine their location relative to each other. At the target, the time of arrival of at least one signal from each of the plurality of base stations is measured. From this, the location of the target relative to the plurality of base stations may be directly calculated using a closed solution. In one embodiment, a time of arrival technique is used and in another embodiment a time difference of arrival technique is used. Preferably an ultra-wide band frequency is utilized.

Abstract: A modular flooring system that includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels arrangeable into a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, each interlocking floor panel includes tongues and grooves that allow adjacent ones of the panels to connect with one another by the mating of tongues and grooves. A locking mechanism can be provided to one or more of the floor panels for locking the connected panels together. In other embodiments, the modular flooring system includes either integrally formed conduit chases or separately formed conduit chases, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An application for a computer system for obtaining feedback at a location of service includes at least one touch screen computer terminal device located at the location of service and software. One computer software module is for authoring a survey, the survey comprising a plurality of survey question with at least one of the survey questions having an answer value configured to trigger a notification signal. Another computer software module presents the survey at the touch screen computer terminal(s) and for obtaining respondent answers to the survey questions and another computer software module monitors the respondent answers and if any of the respondent answers have the answer value configured to trigger the notification signal, the computer software module that monitors the respondent answers triggers the notification signal.

Abstract: A modular flooring system that includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels arrangeable into a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, each interlocking floor panel includes tongues and grooves that allow adjacent ones of the panels to connect with one another by the mating of tongues and grooves. A locking mechanism can be provided to one or more of the floor panels for locking the connected panels together. In other embodiments, the modular flooring system includes either integrally formed conduit chases or separately formed conduit chases, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A modular flooring system that includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels arrangeable into a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, each interlocking floor panel includes tongues and grooves that allow adjacent ones of the panels to connect with one another by the mating of tongues and grooves. A locking mechanism can be provided to one or more of the floor panels for locking the connected panels together. In other embodiments, the modular flooring system includes either integrally formed conduit chases or separately formed conduit chases, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An unknown location for a transmitter/receiver is determined using a calibration process. An area is established with reference receivers at known locations and a mobile transmitter provides a location signal. An alternative embodiment uses reference transmitters and a mobile receiver. For calibration, the transmitter is placed at multiple measured locations and signal measurements are taken to generate a calibration map. Multiple signal measurements may be taken at each receiver, and multiple receivers may be used. In one embodiment, signal measurements include a near-field phase. In operation, one or more location signals are measured at one or more receivers. The measured signals are compared with the calibration maps to generate a set of comparison maps which are combined to generate a likelihood map. A likely region and most likely location are determined from the likelihood map and may be displayed relative to a map of the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for low frequency asset tracking includes a low frequency transmitter tag associated with a cargo container or other high value commodity, a plurality of receivers that detect low frequency signals, and a microprocessor that uses algorithms and/or data pertaining to the propagation characteristics of the signal to locate the position of the container or high value commodity. The tag may include sensors to monitor container properties or conditions, such as temperature, motion, intrusion, RF fields, or other properties of interest. Sensor data may be modulated on the low frequency transmitter signal.

Abstract: Near field signal properties are used to determine a location by utilizing two magnetic antennas arranged so that the null axes are perpendicular and lie in a plane of interest, such as the horizontal plane. The two antennas may be used as transmitting antennas or receiving antennas. The antennas may be driven so as to produce an equivalent of an omnidirectional pattern in the plane of interest by driving the antennas in an orthogonal manner. The orthogonal drive may be time orthogonal or phase orthogonal. A location is determined based on near field response which may include propagation properties, which may include amplitude, phase, relative amplitude, or phase, or other properties. In one embodiment, multiple transmitters are utilized to determine the location of a single receiver. In another embodiment, multiple receivers are utilized to determine the location of a single transmitter. A space efficient magnetic antenna is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for electromagnetic position determination utilizing a calibration process. For calibration, a transmitter is positioned at multiple locations in an area of interest and multiple receivers receive and record signal characteristics from the transmitter to generate a calibration data set. The unknown position of a transmitter may be determined by receiving signals from the transmitter by multiple receivers. A locator data set is generated based on the comparison between two received signal characteristics determined for each receiver. The locator data set is compared with the calibration data set to determine the unknown position. In one embodiment, the signal comparisons are the differences between electric and magnetic field phase. Further embodiments utilize signal amplitude differences. A reciprocal method utilizing a single receiver and multiple transmitter locations is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and a method for coding, tracking, and reporting on items from any one or more processing points for institutions. The system operates to affix, apply or print codes on or to items and documents, in the form of one or more bar codes and/or related symbology. The system operates to also read codes previously printed, affixed or otherwise applied to items and documents. The information related to and represented by the codes and/or related symbology is used during the issuing, clearing, settlement and/or exchange processes and other types of processes throughout the lifecycle of the item. The specific information encoded in the bar code and/or related symbology may, for example, include required any one or more of the following pieces of information regulatory details, processing and handling point identifications and tracking details, and other information.