Abstract: A portable generator system is disclosed which includes a portable generator and an auxiliary fuel tank. The auxiliary fuel tank may be mounted to and removed from the portable generator without tools. A fuel connector between the auxiliary fuel tank and the portable generator includes a male fitting and a female fitting. The male fitting engages the female fitting without tools and aids in aligning the auxiliary fuel tank with the portable generator.

Abstract: A control system for manipulating operation of an engine of a portable engine powered device includes a choke and primer control that simplifies starting of the engine. The control system includes a dial that is associated with a choke control to effectuate choking of the engine during starting of the engine. The control system includes a primer control that is configured to provide an initial fuel charge to the engine. Preferably, the control system includes a single input that effectuates both the choke and primer operations associated with starting the engine. Preferably, the dial is moveable in a rotational direction to effectuate the choking operation and is movable in a longitudinal or axial direction to effectuate the priming operation such that user interaction with only the single input effectuates the sequence of the engine starting fuel control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power management system for supplying backup DC power to peak and/or high current demand battery applications, such as motor starting or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) used to power a critical load, such as, a data bus or other critical load, after an event, such as loss of primary AC or DC input, during relatively cold ambient temperatures. Two or more heaters may be provided; for example, a low power heater and a high power heater. In a maintenance mode, the low power heater is used to maintain the batteries at a predetermined temperature. In this mode, the battery charger is used to power the low power heater. In a boost mode, after the primary AC or DC input is restored, and the battery temperature is too low to back up the critical load, the battery charger supplies power to one or both of the heaters.

Abstract: A communication protocol specification is divided into subsets of parameters based on patterns established by equipment vendors. A combination of subsets is selected based on parameters and features supported by particular network devices installed in a network. A user interface facilitates convenient creation or modification of a configuration file, which instructs a network device how to format a communication message and what information is to be contained therein. After the configuration file is loaded into a device, it controls software switches in the device such that features and parameters corresponding to the parameters selected with the user interface and controlled by the switches are either enabled or disable based on the parameters selected. Supported parameter combinations for popular equipment may be prestored so that selection with the interface of a particular piece of equipment automatically edits the configuration file according to the features and parameters supported by said equipment.

Abstract: A control system for manipulating operation of an engine of a portable engine powered device includes a choke and primer control that simplifies starting of the engine. The control system includes a dial that is associated with a choke control to effectuate choking of the engine during starting of the engine. The control system includes a primer control that is configured to provide an initial fuel charge to the engine. Preferably, the control system includes a single input that effectuates both the choke and primer operations associated with starting the engine. Preferably, the dial is moveable in a rotational direction to effectuate the choking operation and is movable in a longitudinal or axial direction to effectuate the priming operation such that user interaction with only the single input effectuates the sequence of the engine starting fuel control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a distance to objects or a nearest object to a wireless enabled device. The method includes the steps of broadcasting a signal by the wireless enabled device to data tags, receiving by the data tags the signal by the wireless enabled device, and obtaining by each of the data tags a signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device based on the signal from the wireless enabled device. Each of the data tags in a range transmits a signal to the wireless enabled device including the signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device. Each signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device is communicated to a positioning and communication system.

Abstract: A content management system disclosed communicates between commercial participants and social media participants connected by a social media network including a location-centric system that tracks store locations of its commercial participants relative to a location of one or more mobile communication devices of one or more portions of social media participants. A product and service licensing center categorizes the commercial participants in accordance with a level of economic benefit participation in relationship to the location of the one or more mobile communication devices of the social media participants.

Abstract: A consumer-based purchase and referral rewards loyalty system is disclosed. In the system, mobile communication devices include a location tracking devices. Data tags or other wireless communication devices are enabled to communicate with one or more mobile communication devices and to collect an identification code of each. Custom sales presentation module communicatively couples to the mobile communication devices and the data tags or wireless communication devices. Responsive to a locality of goods or services proximal to or predicted proximal to the location tracking devices, the custom sales presentation module generates a user specific sales presentation, which is sent to one or more mobile communication devices to advertise products or services.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a distance to objects or a nearest object to a wireless enabled device. The method includes the steps of broadcasting a signal by the wireless enabled device to data tags, receiving by the data tags the signal by the wireless enabled device, and obtaining by each of the data tags a signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device based on the signal from the wireless enabled device. Each of the data tags in a range transmits a signal to the wireless enabled device including the signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device. Each signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device is communicated to a positioning and communication system.

Abstract: A location based system is disclosed. One or more phased array modules are configured to scan to determine a signal strength indicator of a signal broadcasted from at least one wireless mobile device within a distance area. Based on a signal strength indicator measured at multiple angular directions by the one or more phased array modules from the at least one wireless mobile device, a location of each wireless mobile device is determined within a room, building, or outside location.

Abstract: A wireless network reset system is disclosed. The system couples or connects to a power supply line. A microcontroller software module senses a signal from a Wi-Fi module that indicates a halting of a processor function. A reset module executes a reset based on the halting of the processor function.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a distance to objects or a nearest object to a wireless enabled device. The method includes the steps of broadcasting a signal by the wireless enabled device to data tags, receiving by the data tags the signal by the wireless enabled device, and obtaining by each of the data tags a signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device based on the signal from the wireless enabled device. Each of the data tags in a range transmits a signal to the wireless enabled device including the signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device. Each signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device is communicated to a positioning and communication system.

Abstract: Wireless information communication and delivery systems are described herein that include at least one wireless-enabled device, a device location system, a positioning and communication system, and an information repository system. A configurable wireless protocol device is disclosed that includes a multi-modal transceiver that can establish a communication network with a local wireless-enabled device. A wireless network is described that includes: at least one configurable wireless protocol device; at least one wireless-enabled device; and at least one wireless access point. Methods of locating a wireless-enabled device are described and include: providing a wireless-enabled device, providing a configurable wireless protocol device comprising a modified wireless-protocol; and utilizing the configurable wireless protocol device to actively scan for the wireless-enabled device.

Abstract: A standoff device for positioning a ladder with respect to a supporting structure which is temporarily and rigidly attached to the upper end of a ladder for the purpose of holding the ladder away from the structure against which the ladder is leaning to provide more stability and means to provide a comfortable distance between the user and the structure during tasks such as painting, power washing house frame and sidings, and for the installation and cleaning of gutters, for carpentry, roofing, tree trimming and pruning. The standoff comprises a pivotal frame which is moveably and adjustably secured to a selected rung of the ladder with the pivotal movement limited by chain, rope, strap, strut, telescoping member, or other holding means attached to a lower portion of the ladder such as a lower rung. The standoff device includes a frame having extendable legs having padded rollers journal led on the end thereof which contact the structure.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel module, including: receiving a plurality of sensor signals generated based on at least one detected characteristic of a laser beam of an optical drive; performing computations based on the plurality of sensor signals; generating a computation output signal based on the computations; generating a first control signal and a second control signal; generating a first input signal based on (i) the computation output signal, (ii) the first control signal, and (iii) a first set of filter values; generating a second input signal based on (i) the second control signal, (ii) a second set of filter values, and (iii) an accumulated output signal; generating the accumulated output signal based on a sum of products generated based on the first input signal and the second input signal; and adjusting the at least one detected characteristic of the laser beam based on the accumulated output signal.

Abstract: A servo accelerator for an optical drive includes input and output (I/O) terminals that receive an input signal from a processor of the optical drive. An error circuit generates an error signal based on a sensed characteristic of a laser beam. A compensation circuit generates a compensation signal based on the input signal and the error signal. A servo output adjusts the sensed characteristic of the laser beam based on the compensation signal.

Abstract: A fuel selection device is provided for allowing a user to connect the cylinders of an internal combustion engine to a user-selected fuel source. The fuel selection device includes a housing that defines a cavity for receiving a moveable selector therein. The selector defining first, second, third and fourth flow paths. The first and second flow paths are used for flowing a first type (e.g., natural gas) of fuel from a fuel source to the cylinders of the engine. The second and fourth flow paths are used for flowing a second type of fuel (e.g., liquid propane vapor) from a fuel source to the cylinder. The selector is movable between a first position wherein first and second cylinders communicate with the first and second flow paths, respectively, and a second position wherein the first and second cylinders communicate with the second flow path and fourth flow paths, respectively.

Abstract: A method and computer program are provided for managing man hours of multiple individuals working one or more tasks during a predefined time period that include selectively opening a plurality of tasks of differing task characteristic and task type, selectively associating one or more individuals to one of the open plurality of tasks, selectively unassociating at least one of the associated one or more individuals, maintaining at least one timer for each of the open plurality of tasks, selectively closing one or more of the open plurality of tasks, and selectively outputting an invoice for the closed plurality of tasks based on the bid price of each of the open plurality of tasks. One or more of the individuals are associated and unassociated prior to completion of the open one or more tasks. The at least one timer maintains a total time for all of the associated one or more individuals for each of the open plurality of tasks.