Abstract: A system facilitates visual monitoring of a dangerous location. The system includes a stationary camera device (110) and at least one mobile display device (120) corresponding to at least one vehicle. The camera device (110) captures a video image of the dangerous location and transmits video signals representative of the captured video image. The display device (120) receives the video signals from the camera device (110) when the corresponding vehicle is in proximity to the camera device (110) and presents the video signals as a video image of the dangerous location to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for attenuating noise including arranging a plurality of accumulators (210, 310) to form a transmittance path for compressible flow mass and noise between a noise source (212, 312) and the external environment (218, 318), and selectively accumulating and confining compressible flow mass and noise within at least one of the plurality of accumulators, and attenuating noise confined within the at least one accumulator by ringdown. The system may include a plurality of interruptors/valves (220, 320) which are operated at respective timings for periodically accumulating and confining compressible flow mass and noise in at least one of the plurality of accumulators.

Abstract: A system provides messaging services by transmitting messages to groups of message recipients. The system receives a message from a subscriber in an input format and identifies the group of message recipients to receive the message (510). The system determines one or more output formats for the message for each of the message recipients in the group (530) and converts the message from the input format to the output format(s) when the output format(s) differ from the input format (540). The system then transmits the message to the group of message recipients in the output format(s) (550).

Abstract: A method for providing a communication link from an aircraft (110) to a target (130) is provided. The method includes releasing a first end of a fiber optic cable (120) from an aircraft (110) and then lowering the first end of the fiber optic cable (120) to the target (130). The method also includes connecting the first end of the fiber optic cable (120) to a device at the target (130). The device at the target (130) may then communicate with devices on the aircraft (110).

Abstract: A variable reluctance load cell for measuring the static or slowly fluctuating load, or tension, on devices is contained in a support tube. A sensor in the tube utilizes opposing C and I shaped magnetic cores attached to opposing ends of the support tube. A magnetic circuit is formed having an inductance defined by the size of the gap between the magnetic cores with the reluctance dominated by the gap. The sensor inductance is coupled with a fixed, predetermined capacitance in a resonant LC circuit, and the resonant frequency is a function of the gap. The sensor is in a cavity within the tube, and the cavity is sealed in a manner that prevents water or other damaging agents from entering the sensor. In this manner, mounting the sensor and tube to a static device and measuring the AC voltage at the sensor, the amount of load, or stress can be determined.

Abstract: A system facilitates visual monitoring of a dangerous location. The system includes a stationary camera device (110) and at least one mobile display device (120) corresponding to at least one vehicle. The camera device (110) captures a video image of the dangerous location and transmits video signals representative of the captured video image. The display device (120) receives the video signals from the camera device (110) when the corresponding vehicle is in proximity to the camera device (110) and presents the video signals as a video image of the dangerous location to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device (300) for coupling a first and a second fiber optic cable (120, 140) is provided. The device (300) includes a first member (310) having an opening to receive the first fiber optic cable (120). The device (300) also includes a mechanism (314) to secure the first fiber optic cable (120) to the first member (310) and to constrain rotation of the first fiber optic cable (120) relative to the first member (310). The device (300) also includes a second member (320) having an opening to receive the second fiber optic cable (140). The first and second members (310, 320) are coupled together to align the first and second fiber optic cables (120, 140) and to allow the first member (310) to rotate with respect to the second member (320).

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow a customer to order drive-through menu items using an RF tag (104). A customer vehicle (102) is equipped with a radio-frequency (RF) tag (104). Prior to placing an order, the customer opens an account and creates a default menu using a food vendor's web site. To order items from the default menu, the customer approaches a drive-through order station (312) at a fast food vendor location (318). As vehicle 102 passes order station (312) a first transponder (110A) queries RF tag (104) and processes a return signal (114). Identification information is extracted from return signal (114) such that the customer's order, consisting of the default menu items, is prepared. The customer's vehicle 102 then approaches pick-up station (316) and a second transponder (110B) queries RF tag (104) and subsequently bills the customer's account for the ordered items.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adapting a link layer address of a network device. A first input/output 410 port is connected to receive data from a first network node 140. The first input/output port 410 has a link layer address and is configurable to one of a plurality of link layer addresses. A second input/output port 420 is connected to output the data to a second network node 160. The second input/output port 420 has a link layer address and is configurable to one of a plurality of link layer addresses. A processor adapts the link layer address of the first input/output port 410 to correspond to a link layer address of the second network node 160 and adapts the link layer address of the second input/output port 420 to correspond to a link layer address of the first network node 140.