Abstract: A method and apparatus for the temporary storage of multiple smart badges for charging of the smart badge energy storage means. During charging the method and apparatus exchanges data with each smart badge and prepares the smart badge data for communication over a data link to an external system by accumulating, processing, augmenting, delaying and reformatting the information. A further enhancement of the method and apparatus is the sanitation of smart badges stored in the enclosure. A further enhancement of the method and apparatus is the authentication of users seeking to retrieve stored smart badges and by several means restricting, alarming or prohibiting the retrieval of any smart badge not associated with an identified individual.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor and document that proper hygienic procedures are followed by food service providers consisting of a camera, a processor controlling the camera, and software to accomplish the hand washing monitoring. The criteria for identifying the start and end of a hand washing event by monitoring activity is selected areas is presented. A record is created of the wash event including a sequence of photograph during the event and additional related data such as start time, duration, location, and any employee identification. This record is available for recording or downloading to a server for further manipulation, including washer identification and statistical analysis.

Abstract: A system for providing protection to a processor system from the problems associated with power failures in the middle of processor operations is described. On detection of a power failure in the main power source, the processor power is maintained by means of a short-term secondary power source. Either immediately or after a momentary pause to override glitches, if power remains off the processor is notified that power will soon be removed and that an orderly shutdown is to take place. Once the protected system has completed its orderly shutdown, or after a length of time indicating that the orderly shutdown is improbable, power is removed from the system for a defined period and the system removes power from the protected processor system for at least a defined period of time, providing an assured hard restart. When external power is restored a normal running state is resumed after any power up sequencing. The orderly shutdown and hard reset can take place by command from the protected processor or system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor and document movement of bodies along or through selected regions is described for the directional counting of such bodies. The reduction of the consideration to selected regions avoids excessive calculation and allows the use of an inexpensive image acquisition and processor. Methods for the determining the direction of movement are described. A record is created for counting events for recording or downloading to a server for further manipulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor and document that proper hygienic procedures are followed by food service providers consisting of a camera, a processor controlling the camera, and software to accomplish the hand washing monitoring. The criteria for identifying the start and end of a hand washing event by monitoring activity is selected areas is presented. A record is created of the wash event including a sequence of photograph during the event and additional related data such as start time, duration, location, and any employee identification. This record is available for recording or downloading to a server for further manipulation, including washer identification and statistical analysis.

Abstract: A method is presented to improve the accuracy of time synchronization of data. The invention consists of a timing module compromising a GPS interface with ability controller-based timing standard, high speed inputs and outputs and an asynchronous interface to an external processor system. It attaches a time-stamp referenced to an absolute time standard to transitions on the high speed inputs and a means for delivering these time stamps referenced to the high speed input to a computer or network. Alternatively the computer or network can specify a high speed output and an absolute time for an output transition and the timing module can deliver the specified output transition at the specified absolute time. Compared to existing systems of time synchronization, it will improve the accuracy of the timed data from the current Ethernet tolerance of up to 5 milliseconds to a possible tolerance of 250 nanoseconds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an algorithm for enhancing the transit time measurement of an ultrasonic wave through a fluid, and criteria for evaluating the suitability for various waveforms with regard to noise rejection. The transit time calculation provides a greater noise immunity and accuracy than techniques used in the prior art, and allows a measure of weighting of dispersed signals with different arrival times. The transit time calculation utilizes either the transmitted signal or the measurement of a reference system, the calculation of the squared convolution of this signal with the received signal, and the calculation of the transit time from the time-weighted squared convolution signal over a suitable interval defined by the minimums of the squared convolution signal. In the case of dispersion where the arrival times are symmetrically displaced around a mean transit time, or if asymmetric dispersion is suitably within the main lobe, the calculation properly weights the composite signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a high degree of security to a computer or several computers connected to the Internet or a LAN. Where there is a high degree of confidentiality required, a combination of hardware and software secures data and provides some isolation from the outside network. An exemplary hardware system consists of a processor module, a redundant non-volatile memory system, such as dual disk drives, and multiple communications interfaces. This security system must be unlocked by a passphrase to access data, and all data is transparently encrypted, stored, archived and available for encrypted backup. A system for maintaining secure communications, file transfer and document signing with PKI, and a system for intrusion monitoring and system integrity checks are provided, logged and selectively alarmed in a tamper-proof, time-certain manner. The encryption keys can be automatically sent encrypted to be escrowed with a secure party to allow recovery.