Abstract: Mobile base stations for use with one or more portable utility locators to aid in determining the location of a particular locator during operation and to receive information associated with the utility for storage and/or retransmission to other devices or systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An sensor unit has an analog Hall-effect sensor coupled to a microprocessor containing an analog to digital converter. It is mounted to the frame of a cell door. A magnet is mounted to the cell door so that when the door is closed, they are in close-proximity. A calibration initiates the storage of digital voltage signal presented by the Hall-effect sensor, via an analog to digital converter, when the cell door is closed. This door-closed value is constantly compared to the current value based on the position of the cell door. If this value deviates within preset limitations of the stored value, the sensor unit signals a fault condition to a connected central control panel which sends a “door ajar” notification to a designated user's cell phone as well as activating a local alarm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole measurement and communications are disclosed. The system includes a communications medium, at least partially disposed in a drillpipe, a processor coupled to the communications medium, at least two sensor modules coupled to the communications medium, where at least one of the sensor modules is along a drillpipe, and at least one communications coupler to couple at least one sensor module to the communications medium.

Abstract: Techniques for remote operation of vehicles are presented. Remote operation can involve maneuvering, by a vehicle computer system, a vehicle based on driving instructions from a remote computer system. The vehicle computer system collects sensor data from a plurality of sensors onboard the vehicle. Based on the sensor data, data associated with a visual representation of the surrounding environment is generated and sent to the remote computer system. The generating of the data can involve fusing sensor data to identify one or more features of a surrounding environment. The generated data may be indicative of the identified features. The visual representation is output on a display device of the remote computer system. The driving instructions can be based on human input supplied in response to the visual representation. In certain embodiments, the vehicle is maneuvered toward a location within proximity of a parking space before performing automated parking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and evaluating biometric data of members of a group uses a mobile ad hoc network to relay information collected from each group member to a monitoring device. The information is collected from each group member using a chin strap biometric sensing device. The monitoring device is an endpoint of the mobile ad hoc network, and organizes the collected data for evaluation and display to a supervisor of the group. Any biometric parameter for a given group member that exceeds a preferred value can be flagged for immediate attention by the supervisor.

Abstract: Notifying a recipient of an electronic message that the message was produced via a voice-to-text engine can include accessing text data produced by the voice-to-text engine; adding at least one symbol to the text data to form the electronic message; and providing the electronic message to a messaging engine that sends the electronic message to the recipient, who is notified by the at least one symbol that the electronic message was produced via the voice-to-text engine. The at least one symbol can be added to at least one of the head of the text data, the tail of the text data, and a position within the text data. A symbol can be any combination of ASCII, GSM 03.38, Unicode, and HTTP encoding symbols. A messaging engine can send electronic messages as SMS, MMS, or E-Mail messages.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system is for preventing child abandonment in a vehicle. The vehicle safety system may include a flow sensor for fuel in the vehicle, and a controller coupled to the flow sensor and a seat sensor. The controller may be configured to detect when the vehicle is in a fueling state based upon the flow sensor, and detect occupancy of a child safety seat based upon the seat sensor. The controller may be configured to if the vehicle does not enter the fueling state within a first time period, then cause the vehicle to enter a first alert state, and if the vehicle does not enter the fueling state within a second time period greater than the first time period, then cause the vehicle to enter a second alert state.

Abstract: A method for accurately measuring the conductivity of substances. This method incorporates two points of measurement that are isolated from each other. Each of these points is in contact with the substance to be measured. A continuous, constant electrical current is passed through the substance at the measurement points by means of an electrical force that is not constant but varies depending upon the amount of electrical force required to maintain the constant electrical current through the substance. This constant current is passed through the substance in two directions. This change in direction is achieved by reversing the polarity of the electrical force across the two measurement points. The time periods for each of the two directions of constant current flow are equal. The amount of electrical force or voltage that is required to maintain this constant amount of current is directly related to the resistance of the substance.

Abstract: There is provided a management system for vehicles which can make it easier to introduce changes in the traveling path on the field. A management system 1 manages travel of a vehicle by using a travel management apparatus. The vehicle includes a plurality of driving wheels to be driven by a plurality of motors, a drive unit to rotate the driving wheels, a first communication circuit which receives data representing a traveling path from the travel management apparatus, and a control circuit which causes the vehicle to travel along the traveling path.

Abstract: An ultra-low pressure, vapor analyte, and vapor pathway parameter monitoring system can include an embedded server comprising a base radio and memory. In some embodiments, the embedded server is communicatively coupled to a third-party database. The system can include a first monitoring device comprising a first ultra-low pressure sensor and a first radio communicatively coupled to the base radio. The embedded server can be remotely located with respect to the first monitoring device whereby the embedded server receives first pressure data from the first monitoring device.

Abstract: A device including a sleeve body, wherein the sleeve body is configured to host a lighter, and wherein the sleeve body is further configured to be operable for relieving boredom or stress; an opening portion, the opening portion is configured to be operable for accepting a lighter; a circular indentation section disposed on a proximate center portion of the sleeve body; wherein the circular indentation implement is configured to generally secure a rotating disc implement; and a rotating disc implement, wherein the rotating disc implement is configured to significantly flush-mount against the circular indentation, wherein the rotating disc implement is further configured to customarily rotate freely against the sleeve body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inventory scanning using dual polarization radio frequency identification antennae for automatically reading and locating inventory.

Abstract: A battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention for managing a plurality of field devices of a battery-driven type, the plurality of field devices being associated with a facility disposed in a plant and being defined as belonging to a same group includes a battery manager that, in a case receiving battery life information representing approach to a battery life of an installed battery from a first field device that is one field device currently operating among the plurality of field devices, switches the operating field device to a second field device that is another field device belonging to the same group, an operation of the second field device being stopped.

Abstract: A trolling motor system is provided including a wired or wireless controller and a trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor assembly includes a steering assembly configured to steer a trolling motor housing based on a steering command received from the wired or wireless controller in a remote mode, a handle configured to enable a user to steer the trolling motor housing in a local mode, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the processor to receive one or more steering commands from the wired or wireless controller, cause the steering assembly to steer the trolling motor housing based on the one or more steering commands, receive an indication to enter the local mode, and disable the steering assembly in response to receiving the indication to enter the local mode.

Abstract: In a multiple signal environment, it is important to be able to separate signals. Complete spatial separation can only be accomplished by following the proper mathematical method. This involves first modeling multiple signals that map onto an antenna array. Inverting this process by use of the Moore-Penrose inverse results in spatially separating the signals of interest. This method has important applications in satellite navigation systems where it is relatively easy to jam or spoof the valid but weak navigation signals coming from satellites in high orbits.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a DC motor system that is capable of extracting electrical power to do useful work while the DC motor is in operation. The present invention relates to a DC motor configured to have a plurality of brushes which enables two of the plurality of brushes to serve as input power brushes and at least one of the plurality of brushes to serve as power extraction brush to extract electrical power from the DC motor. The extraction of electrical power is achieved by using a power extraction circuit which switches the extracted power between two different energy storage devices. The energy storage device includes and not limited to capacitors and batteries.

Abstract: Electric vehicles, electric vehicle systems, and methods for controlling the electric vehicles or electric vehicle systems are described. In one implementation, an electric vehicle includes a main body for carrying a user, a plurality of electric wheels mounted on the main body, and a controller mounted on the main body. The main body includes a front main body and a rear main body removably connected to the front main body. The front main body can move independently when disconnected from the rear main body. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of electric wheels is mounted on the front main body. The controller is configured to send drive signals to the plurality of electric wheels according to input of the user. The plurality of electric wheels are configured to rotate according to the drive signals.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating a textile with an antimicrobial agent includes receiving a textile in a washer system. The textile includes an identification tag, which uniquely identifies the textile among a plurality of textiles. The method also includes detecting, in the washer system, the identification tag. The method further includes determining, based on the detected identification tag, one or more parameters for treating the textile with an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent includes a metallic ion. The method also includes washing the textile with a detergent, and, after washing the textile with the detergent, treating the textile with the antimicrobial agent based on the one or more parameters.

Abstract: The invention Animal Alarm AA-100 was designed to meet a required need that is not currently on the market. The unit designates animals approaching through picture motion detection the danger of a roadway when a vehicle is present. It is designed to have a “silent” alarm to be sounded at a high pitch that the animal can hear it to deter the animal from crossing. The unit also through radar detection, noise and motion detection with a micro phone through computer identifies a vehicle approaching the unit. The alarm does not sound in times that no danger is present. The invention does not create a intolerance for those that are near it, but is designed to alleviate carnage from the death of animals hit by a vehicle. This invention the Animal Alarm AA-100 was designed with the idea of multi-tasking for research with data information, for accuracy of unit function, and to alleviate death by animal vehicle collision.

Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly includes a housing, a wireless power source, and electronics. The housing defines an interior space and at least one aperture sized to receive at least one external sensor. The wireless power source is mounted within the housing. The electronics are mounted within the housing and are configured to receive power from the wireless power source and to be in electrical communication with the external sensor. The electronics include a wireless communications component, and firmware configured to manage a rate of data transmittal from the wireless communications component to an external device such that the wireless communications component has a power consumption less than about 0.5 mW. The electronics are powered exclusively by the wireless power source and the wireless sensor assembly defines a volume less than about 2 in3.