Abstract: A monitoring system for a pipeline system, may comprise: thickness sensors, vibration sensors, flow sensors, leak sensors and/or other sensors disposed on pipelines, controller processors coupled to the sensors to receive and geo-tag sensor data, communication devices for transmitting geo-tagged data, and a central facility comprising: a communication device receiving the geo-tagged data and servers to analyze the data from the sensors to determine, e.g., wall thickness, vibration producing events, media flow, and/or leaks, and to compare same to standardized exception data therefor; wherein when an exception exists, to generate and communicate an alert therefrom via a display, a human interface device and/or the communication device of the central facility.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a terminal facility handling containers may comprise: a sensor set sensing containers entering and/or exiting the facility for providing container identification data and location data to a relational database; and container handling equipment having a sensor set for providing container identification data and location data to the database when a container is grasped and/or released. Sensors may sense when the equipment grasps and/or releases a container for storing a record thereof in the database, and/or geo-tagged identification data and location data relating to carriers that are to pick up and/or to deliver a container is received and stored as records in the database. The relational database contains records representing the current location of each container and each container handling equipment substantially in real time and can estimate arrival time.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more distance measuring imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged distance measurements are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a tokenized electronic transaction may comprise: receiving identifying biometric data for the user, generating a biometric template representative thereof, and destroying the identifying biometric data. The identifying biometric data is not stored permanently, is not transmitted, cannot be derived from the biometric template, and is destroyed so that only the biometric template remains. The biometric template is attached to a transaction token for completing the transaction represented by the token including: comparing the token and attached biometric template with reference transaction data and with a reference biometric template. When the token matches the reference transaction data and the biometric template matches the reference biometric template, then the transaction is authorized and completed, and when the token and/or the biometric template does not match the reference therefor, then the transaction is rejected.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Abstract: A method for a product exchange for plural producers may comprise: configuring an electronic device to provide geo-tagged and time stamped image data, receiving registration data from a producer, receiving facility data and product data, and storing the received data in a relational database separate from the electronic device, and repeating the foregoing for a plurality of producers. The method may further comprise receiving registration data and qualifying data from a buyer who is provided product data and may make an offer therefor, or may comprise receiving a request for a supply, equipment or educational material and facilitating the ordering and delivery thereof.

Abstract: A positive train control system and method may comprise one or more switch monitors and/or one or more track monitors providing sensor data relative to one or more switches and/or one or more tracks, respectively, determining whether there is an anomaly of a switch or track, and when there is, providing a message, alert and/or warning, and/or initiating a train control action. Determination of an anomaly may be preformed on a train or at a remote location, e.g., a central facility.

Abstract: A positive train control system and method comprises a plurality of RFID devices embedded in a track way and having data representing location stored therein, and an RFID reader/detector mounted on a train for reading the location data from the embedded RFID devices. The location data is processed on the train and/or at a central facility for determining whether the train location and/or time is consistent with a train routing order. Messages, alerts and/or warnings may be generated for an alert device and/or for automated response, e.g., via a train control system.

Abstract: A positive train control may comprise a plurality of different sensors coupled to a processor that determines whether there is an anomaly of a track way, and if there is, provides an alert and/or a train control action. The plural sensors may include a visual imager, an infrared imager, a radar, a doppler radar, a laser sensor, a laser ranging device, an acoustic sensor, and/or an acoustic ranging device. Data from the plural sensors is geo-tagged and time tagged. Some embodiments of the train control employ track monitors, switch monitors and/or wayside monitors, and some employ locating devices such as GPS and inertial devices.

Abstract: A personnel tracking and monitoring system and method comprises sets of monitoring devices each including: an electronic device having a unique identifier, a locating device, and a wireless communication device communicating via a plurality of protocols. The unique identifier, the location data and time data are associated and are transmitted wirelessly to one or more monitoring stations which store same in a database. The electronic devices and/or one or more relay devices may be configured before arrival at the site and/or while en route. Data stored in the data base is compared with predetermined criteria and if any predetermined criteria is exceeded, an indication thereof is communicated to the monitoring stations and/or to the electronic device to which such indication relates.

Abstract: Protective headgear for use in dangerous and/or hazardous locations may comprise: a headgear shell; a locator device on the headgear shell for providing location data; a motion sensor on the headgear shell for providing motion data; a memory on the headgear shell and having a unique identifier stored therein and configured to store the location data and the motion data; a transmitter-receiver for transmitting the location data, the motion data and the unique identifier to a remote database and for receiving notification data therefrom; and a user interface responsive to the received notification data to provide a visual notification or an audible notification or a physical notification or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a wireless network comprising a plurality of devices each having a powered down mode, a receive/transmit mode, and a timer, may include a master device and a defined time interval. Time interval information and synchronizing information are communicated to the plurality of devices of the wireless network, whereby the timers of each of the plurality of devices are set to time substantially the same time interval, and the time intervals of the plurality of devices of the wireless network are substantially synchronized.

Abstract: A ballot or sheet having an anti-copying feature provides for detecting from an image of the ballot or sheet whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy. The anti-copying feature may lighten or darken, or both, when copied and may or may not be evident to the human eye. A reader comprising an imager and a processor is for reading the ballot or sheet and for determining whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy, and for determining selections marked thereon. A method for reading the ballot or sheet is for determining from an image of the ballot or sheet whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy, and for determining selections marked thereon.

Abstract: An optically readable sheet has plural mark spaces and has at least two fiducial marks defining the orientation and scaling of the sheet. A method for reading an optically readable sheet may comprise imaging the sheet and decoding the fiducial marks from the image of the sheet for scaling the image of the sheet and decoding the mark spaces therein. Scaling the image may include comparing the locations of the decoded fiducial marks from the image of the sheet and the predetermined locations of the fiducial marks on the sheet.

Abstract: A method for reading a sheet or a paper ballot enclosed in a ballot envelope comprises decoding a machine readable envelope identifier from each ballot envelope, displaying at least the decoded envelope identifier and a signature from each ballot envelope for determining from the envelope identifier, the signature, or both, whether a valid sheet or ballot is presented. If the sheet or ballot is valid, then the sheet or ballot is removed from its envelope and the selections marked on the sheet or ballot may then be determined and processed.

Abstract: An RFID system and method utilizes the power level of messages received from an RFID device for monitoring and/or locating and/or tracking the RFID device, e.g., and typically an object associated with the RFID device. The power level of received messages may be indicated by power level information contained in the message, or by the strength of the received signal carrying the message, or by both. The RFID system and method may be employed to monitor a condition of an object, e.g., a closable container, as to whether it is and/or has been closed or not, including being tampered with. Messages received from the RFID device, as well as an indication of a condition, may be relayed to a remote location.

Abstract: A ballot reader images a ballot, checks the ballot, and displays the ballot image for voter review. The voter may cast the ballot causing it to be collected and the vote thereon recorded, or may have the ballot returned. Checking may include, e.g., checking for a complete ballot, undervotes and/or overvotes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are useful for conducting an exhibition at which visitors visit plural booths and/or stations at which a PDA and an encoded tag reader are provided. Exhibitor information is stored in a memory of the PDA. An encoded tag issued each visitor includes a memory from which information may be transmitted and/or into which information may be stored. Stored information may include visitor information, exhibitor information, visit information, product/service information and/or data items. The PDA and encoded tag reader communicate with the encoded tags and communicate directly or indirectly with one or more processors that process the information, e.g., for providing a report.

Abstract: A method and system for marking a ballot or sheet may comprise making selections in a session using an interface, e.g., including a keyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, voice recognition apparatus, a Braille keyboard, a pen with writing recognition interface, or a combination thereof, producing a paper ballot or sheet for the session by printing the selections on a sheet form or printing a sheet form including the selections, and optionally submitting the printed paper ballot or sheet for reading the selections printed thereon. The printed ballot or sheet may include an identifier for the selected template.