Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. The device includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A support frame has a carriage and is configured for the propulsor to be coupled thereto, where the carriage is configured to slidably engage with the mounting bracket into a fixed position. A member is manually engageable to prevent the carriage from sliding out of the fixed position. The propulsor is coupled to the marine vessel by sliding the carriage into the fixed position and engaging the member, where the propulsor is operable to propel the marine vessel in water when the carriage is in the fixed position, and where the propulsor is configured for decoupling from the marine vessel by disengaging the member and sliding the carriage out of engagement with the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A method of predicting at least one drying parameter for a printing press includes estimating an amount and type of an ink to be deposited on a printing surface, determining at least one of: i) a type of the printing surface, ii) a thickness of the printing surface, and iii) a speed of the printing surface moving through the printing press, and calculating, via a controller associated with the dryer, the at least one drying parameter based at least on: i) the amount and the type of the ink to be deposited on the printing surface; ii) the type of the printing surface, iii) the thickness of the printing surface, and iv) the speed of the printing surface moving through the printing press. Also disclosed herein is a method of determining if the ink established on the printing surface is dry.

Abstract: A headset monitoring system includes a plurality of headsets and a base station. Each headset includes a microphone, a speaker, a transceiver, and a memory device for storing an identification code, and the base station includes a transceiver, a microprocessor, a memory device, and a user interface. The base station is configured to send and receive data to and from the headsets and is further configured to identify headsets that are not functioning properly.

Abstract: A system for automatically gathering efficiency metrics in a quick-service establishment that makes use of certain data signals already generated in a great number of such establishments. A repeating communication device, which is used to receive and re-broadcast communications amongst the employees of the quick service restaurant, acts as a central hub that receives various data signals. The data signals may be analyzed, and the information hidden therein may be unearthed. The information may be transmitted to a remote computer system for further analysis, which may receive similar data from similar quick-service establishments.

Abstract: An intercom system enabling a plurality of users to listen to and at least one user to speak to and listen to a remote user. A base station communicates with the remote user. A plurality of ear pieces is wearable by the plurality of users, each of the plurality of ear pieces being capable of wirelessly communicating with the base station. Each of the plurality of ear pieces is capable of listening to the base station within a first range of the base station. At least one of the plurality of ear pieces being capable of wirelessly speaking to the base station within a second range of the base station. The second range is larger than the first range.

Abstract: A reservoir for an ink supply for an ink-jet printer is provided with a refill port through which it can be refilled. The reservoir may be coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. Alternatively, the reservoir may be coupled directly to the fluid outlet and an alternative method of transferring the ink to the printer provided.

Abstract: A wireless intercom unit includes an electronics housing including a first side, where the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface. The intercom unit also includes a microphone, a speaker, and an input device, where these components are located on a portion of the housing other than the first side. The intercom further includes a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range. In another embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and an earpiece for wireless communication with the wireless intercom unit. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and a remote switch for providing user input information to the intercom unit.

Abstract: A scheme of identifying nonfunctional two-way radios from among a known group of two-way radios expected to be operating within a region may include establishing a corresponding window of time for each of the two-way radios expected to be operating within the region. For each of the established windows of time, a transmission from the corresponding radio is awaited. If, for a particular radio, no transmission is detected within its corresponding window of time, the absence of the transmission is recorded. Finally, if, for a particular radio, the number of times absence of transmission has been recorded exceeds a threshold, the particular radio is identified as nonfunctional.

Abstract: A reservoir for an ink supply for an ink-jet printer is provided with a refill port through which it can be refilled. The reservoir may be coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. Alternatively, the reservoir may be coupled directly to the fluid outlet and an alternative method of transferring the ink to the printer provided.

Abstract: An ergonomic headset assembly having increased comfort and convenience of use is provided. In accordance with one embodiment a headset assembly is provided which includes a first headpiece pivotally coupled to a second flexible headpiece. The headset assembly further includes means for limiting the pivotal movement of the flexible headpiece with respect to the first headpiece. This allows the tension of the headset assembly to be suitable adjusted to the head size of the wearer. In accordance with another embodiment a headset assembly which includes a headband and an electronics housing pivotally coupled to the headpiece is provided. The pivotal coupling of the electronics housing with respect to the headband allows the electronics housing to be swung away from a user's ear and provides additional comfort to the user. In accordance with yet another embodiment a headset assembly having an electronics housing coupled to a clip member is provided.

Abstract: An intercom system enabling a plurality of users to listen to and at least one user to speak to and listen to a remote user. A base station communicates with the remote user. A plurality of ear pieces is wearable by the plurality of users, each of the plurality of ear pieces being capable of wirelessly communicating with the base station. Each of the plurality of ear pieces is capable of listening to the base station within a first range of the base station. At least one of the plurality of ear pieces being capable of wirelessly speaking to the base station within a second range of the base station. The second range is larger than the first range.

Abstract: A reservoir for an ink supply for an ink-jet printer is provided with a refill port through which it can be refilled. The reservoir may be coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. Alternatively, the reservoir may be coupled directly to the fluid outlet and an alternative method of transferring the ink to the printer provided.

Abstract: A system for automatically gathering efficiency metrics in a quick-service establishment that makes use of certain data signals already generated in a great number of such establishments. A repeating communication device, which is used to receive and re-broadcast communications amongst the employees of the quick service restaurant, acts as a central hub that receives various data signals. The data signals may be analyzed, and the information hidden therein may be unearthed. The information may be transmitted to a remote computer system for further analysis, which may receive similar data from similar quick-service establishments.

Abstract: A scheme of identifying nonfunctional two-way radios from among a known group of two-way radios expected to be operating within a region may include establishing a corresponding window of time for each of the two-way radios expected to be operating within the region. For each of the established windows of time, a transmission from the corresponding radio is awaited. If, for a particular radio, no transmission is detected within its corresponding window of time, the absence of the transmission is recorded. Finally, if, for a particular radio, the number of times absence of transmission has been recorded exceeds a threshold, the particular radio is identified as nonfunctional.

Abstract: A wireless intercom unit includes an electronics housing including a first side, where the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface. The intercom unit also includes a microphone, a speaker, and an input device, where these components are located on a portion of the housing other than the first side. The intercom further includes a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range. In another embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and an earpiece for wireless communication with the wireless intercom unit. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and a remote switch for providing user input information to the intercom unit.

Abstract: A headset assembly includes an electronics housing and a replaceable battery. The battery includes a recessed region for limiting contact between the battery housing and the electrical contacts of the electronics housing. The contacts of the battery include raised regions for concentrating the electrical contact regions between the battery and the electronics housing, and to further clean the electrical contacts of the electronics housing during slideable insertion of the battery into the electronics housing.

Abstract: A programmable headset is provided including an infrared light detector for receiving infrared light signals to establish operational settings. An apparatus for programming a headset is also provided including a headset and a programming unit that includes an infrared light emitter for communication with the infrared light detector of the headset. The programming unit may also include a cradle for receiving a portion of the headset.

Abstract: An ergonomic headset assembly having increased comfort and convenience of use is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a headset assembly is provided which includes a first headpiece pivotally coupled to a second flexible headpiece. The headset assembly further includes means for limiting the pivotal movement of the flexible headpiece with respect to the first headpiece. This allows the tension of the headset assembly to be suitable adjusted to the head size of the wearer. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a headset assembly which includes a headband and an electronics housing pivotally coupled to the headpiece is provided. The pivotal coupling of the electronics housing with respect to the headband allows the electronics housing to be swung away from a user's ear and provides additional comfort to the user. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a headset assembly having an electronics housing coupled to a clip member is provided.

Abstract: A reservoir for an ink supply for an ink-jet printer is provided with a refill port through which it can be refilled. The reservoir may be coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. Alternatively, the reservoir may be coupled directly to the fluid outlet and an alternative method of transferring the ink to the printer provided.

Abstract: A replaceable pump module for an ink-jet printer is configured to receive a replaceable ink supply including a reservoir having a fluid outlet. The replaceable pump module includes a variable volume chamber having a fluid inlet adapted to form a fluid connection with the fluid outlet of the ink supply reservoir. The variable volume chamber has a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The replaceable pump module chamber also includes a fluid outlet. When the replaceable pump module is installed in a printer, the pump module fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and a fluid inlet of the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the replaceable pump module that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer.