Abstract: A grip guide for a hand held wireless communication device housing that guides proper hand placement on the housing. The grip guide can include a frame having an interior region sized and shaped to receive a hand held wireless communication device. An exterior surface includes first and second protrusions adjacent an antenna area of the communication device, and a gripping region between the regions. The protrusions guide a user to grip the housing at the gripping regions.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The power supply equipment includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power drawn by the electronic device. A cable, extends from the adapter. The power supply equipment further includes a tip which has an input side and an output side. The input side of the tip is detachable mateable to the cable. The output side of the tip is detachably mateable to the electronic device. The tip output side has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device. The tip provides the data signal, as well as the DC power, to the electronic device. Different tips may be used to provide appropriate data signals to different electronic devices.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, system, and method serve to modify a driver's behavior, reduce accident costs, and generate more revenue from a company vehicle. Risky behavior that often leads to accidents, personal injury, property damage, and loss of a driver's livelihood is highlighted in the disclosed system. By focusing on a driver's unsafe actions, the disclosed system teaches a driver to correct unsafe driving behaviors. An employer or insurance company, for example, can access all data captured before, during, and after the accident or event to assist with finding fault. The disclosed vehicle activity information system is fully configurable at all times during installation of the system and during use thereof. A plurality of integrated cameras provides constant video surveillance of the interior and exterior of a vehicle, thus working simultaneously to capture a driver's actions in the vehicle information activity system.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The power supply equipment includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power drawn by the electronic device. A cable, extends from the adapter. The power supply equipment further includes a tip which has an input side and an output side. The input side of the tip is detachable mateable to the cable. The output side of the tip is detachably mateable to the electronic device. The tip output side has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device. The tip provides the data signal, as well as the DC power, to the electronic device. Different tips may be used to provide appropriate data signals to different electronic devices.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for configuring wireless devices are described. To configure a wireless target device to access a network and/or network-based services, a wireless connection may be formed between the wireless target device and a wireless source device storing configuration data for accessing one or more networks and/or network-based services. The source device may determine whether it is authorized to send at least a portion of the configuration data to the target device. The target device may determine whether it is authorized to accept at least a portion of the configuration data provided by the source device. The target device may accept at least a portion of the configuration data by storing the accepted configuration data in a memory (e.g., a non-volatile memory) and/or by using the configuration data to access a wireless network and/or a network-based service.

Abstract: A power supply system includes data circuitry as well as power circuitry to generate DC power for use by a portable electronic device having a rechargeable battery. The DC power, ground and two signaling lines are provided in a power supply connector which detachably mates with an electronic device power input port. In response to a first signal from the electronic device transmitted over one of the signaling lines, the data circuitry provides an analog signal to the electronic device over the other signaling line. The electronic device determines a parameter level, such as a current level, of the analog signal, and based on the determined parameter level controls charging of its battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between the cab interior and exterior chassis of a truck comprises a custom-designed multi-conductor cable having a plurality of circuits. Each multi-conductor cable is terminated at each end with non-proprietary connectors and fabricated into a harness of a length that is truck brand and model specific determined by the truck manufacturer and carry various communication functions between the cab interior and the distal exterior truck cab.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliable wireless voice, data and location communication for deployment in underground, industrial and other hazardous environments using a wireless mesh network. The network includes protocol for dispatch operation, emergency operation, remote supervision, remote status, asset control, machine state of health and operational management. The architecture is based on localized clusters of autonomous nodes capable of ad hoc interconnection with nearby nodes and connection to gateway nodes. The resulting network is an ad hoc mesh topology comprised of fixed mesh nodes with approximately 50% coverage overlap between nodes. This provides a reliable communication network for mobile nodes carried by personnel and sensor nodes that are fixed or mobile that supports voice, data and tracking/situation awareness. Each cluster of nodes transfers digital voice and data to gateway nodes either directly or through multi-hop transactions.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for configuring wireless devices are described. To configure a wireless target device to access a network and/or network-based services, a wireless connection may be formed between the wireless target device and a wireless source device storing configuration data for accessing one or more networks and/or network-based services. The source device may determine whether it is authorized to send at least a portion of the configuration data to the target device. The target device may determine whether it is authorized to accept at least a portion of the configuration data provided by the source device. The target device may accept at least a portion of the configuration data by storing the accepted configuration data in a memory (e.g., a non-volatile memory) and/or by using the configuration data to access a wireless network and/or a network-based service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and maintaining an ad hoc mesh network suitable for reliable voice and data communications in underground, industrial and other hazardous environments. This invention includes support for cooperative negotiation of dedicated transmission bandwidth for all fixed network nodes, determination of network time synchronization without a pre-determined time master, discovery and merging of adjacent ad hoc mesh networks, and routing techniques for voice, data and network status packets which react instantaneously to network topology changes. Furthermore this invention provides a reliable communication network for mobile nodes carried by personnel and sensor nodes that are fixed or mobile that supports voice, data and tracking/situation awareness.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The power supply equipment includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power drawn by the electronic device. A cable extends from the adapter. The power supply equipment further includes a tip which has an input side and an output side. The input side of the tip is detachable mateable to the cable. The output side of the tip is detachably mateable to the electronic device. The tip output side has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device. The tip provides the data signal, as well as the DC power, to the electronic device. Different tips may be used to provide appropriate data signals to different electronic devices.

Abstract: Power supply equipment is provided for supplying an appropriate power adapter identification signal, as well as DC power, to various types, brand and models of electronic devices. The equipment includes a power adapter having conversion circuitry for converting power from an external power source to the DC power utilized by a particular electronic device. The power adapter also includes circuitry to generate a plurality of power adapter identification signals. Selection circuitry, responsive to user selection or to the configuration of a cable, connector or connector adapter included with the power supply equipment, selects a particular one of power adapter identification signals appropriate for the particular electronic device. The selected power adapter identification signal and the DC power are transferred to the power input port of the electronic device.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The power supply equipment includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power drawn by the electronic device. A cable, extends from the adapter. The power supply equipment further includes a tip which has an input side and an output side. The input side of the tip is detachable mateable to the cable. The output side of the tip is detachably mateable to the electronic device. The tip output side has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device. The tip provides the data signal, as well as the DC power, to the electronic device. Different tips may be used to provide appropriate data signals to different electronic devices.

Abstract: Power supply equipment is provided for supplying an appropriate power adapter identification signal, as well as DC power, to various types, brand and models of electronic devices. The equipment includes a power adapter having conversion circuitry for converting power from an external power source to the DC power utilized by a particular electronic device. The power adapter also includes circuitry to generate a plurality of power adapter identification signals. Selection circuitry, responsive to user selection or to the configuration of a cable, connector or connector adapter included with the power supply equipment, selects a particular one of power adapter identification signals appropriate for the particular electronic device. The selected power adapter identification signal and the DC power are transferred to the power input port of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliable wireless voice, data and location communication for deployment in underground, industrial and other hazardous environments using a wireless mesh network. The network includes protocol for dispatch operation, emergency operation, remote supervision, remote status, asset control, machine state of health and operational management. The architecture is based on localized clusters of autonomous nodes capable of ad hoc interconnection with nearby nodes and connection to gateway nodes. The resulting network is an ad hoc mesh topology comprised of fixed mesh nodes with approximately 50% coverage overlap between nodes. This provides a reliable communication network for mobile nodes carried by personnel and sensor nodes that are fixed or mobile that supports voice, data and tracking/situation awareness. Each cluster of nodes transfers digital voice and data to gateway nodes either directly or through multi-hop transactions.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, system, and method serve to modify a driver's behavior, reduce accident costs, and generate more revenue from a company vehicle. Risky behavior that often leads to accidents, personal injury, property damage, and loss of a driver's livelihood is highlighted in the disclosed system. By focusing on a driver's unsafe actions, the disclosed system teaches a driver to correct unsafe driving behaviors. An employer or insurance company, for example, can access all data captured before, during, and after the accident or event to assist with finding fault. The disclosed vehicle activity information system is fully configurable at all times during installation of the system and during use thereof. A plurality of integrated cameras provides constant video surveillance of the interior and exterior of a vehicle, thus working simultaneously to capture a driver's actions in the vehicle information activity system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between the cab interior and exterior chassis of a truck comprises a custom-designed multi-conductor cable having a plurality of circuits. Each multi-conductor cable is terminated at each end with non-proprietary connectors and fabricated into a harness of a length that is truck brand and model specific determined by the truck manufacturer and carry various communication functions between the cab interior and the distal exterior truck cab.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for media access control and rate control to improve data throughput in multihop wireless networks. For controlling media access, an unlocking mechanism is provided that sets the unlocking times at which the scheduling patterns of a MAC protocol is unlocked by requiring all, or a subset of links, to stop transmitting. The unlocking times are set and updated according to quality of service requirements which may change over time. Parameters of the MAC protocol and packet arrivals rates to the links in the network are updated using the parameters of the unlocking mechanism, the queue-sizes, and the utility functions of the links in the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for media access control and rate control to improve data throughput in multihop wireless networks. For controlling media access, an unlocking mechanism is provided that sets the unlocking times at which the scheduling patterns of a MAC protocol is unlocked by requiring all, or a subset of links, to stop transmitting. The unlocking times are set and updated according to quality of service requirements which may change over time. Parameters of the MAC protocol and packet arrivals rates to the links in the network are updated using the parameters of the unlocking mechanism, the queue-sizes, and the utility functions of the links in the network.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter to convert power from a power source to a DC power for powering an electronic device. The adapter includes circuitry for producing an analog data signal for use by the electronic device to control an amount of power drawn by the device. A cable has an output connector with a plurality of conductors to transfer the DC power and the analog data signal to the electronic device. The connector further includes circuitry to receive a data request from the electronic device and in response transmit a data output which identifies the power supply equipment to the electronic device.