Abstract: A combination vehicle tire sensor assembly and in-tire wheel balancer is adapted for residing inside a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim of a motor vehicle. The combination comprises a flexible mounting cable secured to the sensor assembly, and adapted for extending circumferentially within an annular space formed between the tire and wheel rim. A counterweight is secured to the mounting cable inside the pneumatic tire a spaced distance from the sensor assembly. A substantially hollow balancer belt resides inside the pneumatic tire adjacent the sensor assembly and counterweight, and defines a circumferentially-extending exterior groove designed for receiving and locating said mounting cable, and a circumferentially-extending interior cavity adapted for loosely containing a wheel-balancing medium.

Abstract: An energy harvester is provided. The energy harvester includes a permanent magnet and a coil. At least one of the permanent magnet and coil rotate completely about an axis such that relative movement between the permanent magnet and the coil is realized to generate an electrical current for use in powering a device.

Abstract: A smart tag assembly is designed for mounting on an object to be tracked. The smart tag assembly comprises a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data, and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader. The laminate comprises an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate, and laminated between an outside label cover and backing. A low-profile tag carrier defines a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding the RFID laminate, and has a generally concave outside surface adapted for residing against a generally convex surface of the object to be tracked.

Abstract: A smart tag assembly is designed for mounting on an object to be tracked. The smart tag assembly comprises a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data, and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader. The laminate comprises an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate, and laminated between an outside label cover and backing. A low-profile tag carrier defines a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding the RFID laminate, and has a generally concave outside surface adapted for residing against a generally convex surface of the object to be tracked.

Abstract: A computer-implemented security system and method provides signature pathway authentication and identification. The system and method include establishing a user-defined cognitive signature pathway through multiple graphical zones of a graphical user interface. The signature pathway enables authorized user access to an otherwise secured location. Subsequent entries of the signature pathway entered via the graphical user interface are then validated. For all valid entries of the signature pathway, user access is allowed to the secured location.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a vehicle and fuel pump includes storing vehicle operating data on an onboard recorder in the vehicle, and transmitting the vehicle operating data from the onboard recorder to the fuel pump. The vehicle operating data includes vehicle identification information.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a mobile computing device includes locating at least one NFC-enabled device on the vehicle. Vehicle user data is wirelessly transferred between the NFC-enabled device and the mobile computing device. Using the vehicle user data, the NFC-enabled device on the vehicle and the mobile computing device are paired.

Abstract: A smart tag assembly is designed for mounting on an object to be tracked. The smart tag assembly comprises a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data, and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader. The laminate comprises an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate, and laminated between an outside label cover and backing. A low-profile tag carrier defines a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding the RFID laminate.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a mobile computing device includes locating at least one NFC-enabled device on the vehicle. Vehicle user data is wirelessly transferred between the NFC-enabled device and the mobile computing device. Using the vehicle user data, the NFC-enabled device on the vehicle and the mobile computing device are paired.

Abstract: A smart tag assembly is designed for mounting on an object to be tracked. The smart tag assembly comprises a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data, and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader. The laminate comprises an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate, and laminated between an outside label cover and backing. A low-profile tag carrier defines a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding the RFID laminate, and has a generally concave outside surface adapted for residing against a generally convex surface of the object to be tracked.

Abstract: An automated at-the-pump method manages vehicle fuel purchases at a fuel station. The method includes transmitting driver identification data to a mobile device assigned to a vehicle driver. The driver identification data is electronically verified to confirm that the driver identification data received by the mobile device matches the assigned vehicle driver. Vehicle data is transmitted from a data bus of the vehicle to the mobile device for storage in the memory. The vehicle data and driver identification data are transmitted to a remote terminal. Using the remote terminal, the vehicle data and driver identification data are electronically authenticated. An authorization signal is then transmitted from the remote terminal to an at-the-pump fuel control terminal.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a vehicle and fuel pump includes storing vehicle operating data on an onboard recorder in the vehicle, and transmitting the vehicle operating data from the onboard recorder to the fuel pump. The vehicle operating data includes vehicle identification information.

Abstract: A situation communication mirror is adapted for mounting to a transportation vehicle, such as a heavy duty tractor-trailer combination. The situation communication mirror comprises a rearward facing reflective member having at least three integrally-formed and arcuately distinct reflective surface areas. The first reflective surface area has a relatively slight curvature defining a relatively focused driver field of view. The second and third reflective surface areas each have an increased curvature as compared to the first surface area, and respectively define wider driver fields of view.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a vehicle and fuel pump includes storing vehicle operating data on an onboard recorder in the vehicle, and transmitting the vehicle operating data from the onboard recorder to the fuel pump. The vehicle operating data includes vehicle identification information.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for testing and storage of information related to a component. A data collection device having a memory is fixedly connected to the component. A test device communicates with the data collection device to store test data concerning the component in the data collection device. The test device also performs analysis of the test data and provides information concerning the health and maintenance history of the component. The present invention also provides systems and methods for determining the current drawn or supplied by electrical components connected in parallel in an electrical system. A current sensor located between the electrical components determines the current supply or draw of one of the electrical components, while a current sensor between the electrical components and the remainder of the electrical system determine a cumulative current draw or supply by both the electrical components.

Abstract: A direct tire data collection and communication device is adapted for use in a pneumatic vehicle tire. The device incorporates a tire-mounted electronics module comprising a microcontroller, and at least one tire property sensor in electronic communication with the microcontroller and capable of measuring at least one operational property of the vehicle tire. The threshold operational property value defines a positive tire safety condition and a negative tire safety condition. The electronics module calculates accumulated travel data of the vehicle tire while in the negative tire safety condition. A transmitter transmits the travel data to an electronic remote terminal.

Abstract: An energy harvester is provided. The energy harvester includes a permanent magnet and a coil. At least one of the permanent magnet and coil rotate completely about an axis such that relative movement between the permanent magnet and the coil is realized to generate an electrical current for use in powering a device.

Abstract: A method for data communication between a vehicle and fuel pump includes storing vehicle operating data on an onboard recorder in the vehicle, and transmitting the vehicle operating data from the onboard recorder to the fuel pump. The vehicle operating data includes vehicle identification information.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and methods are provided for data communications associated with a vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes at least one electronic subsystem associated with the vehicle and a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the at least one electronic subsystem and associated with the vehicle. A vehicle data communications protocol converter is preferably connected to the plurality of electrical conductors for converting a first data communications protocol associated with data communications along the plurality of electrical conductors to a second data communications protocol such as an infrared, an RF data, an Internet, or other network communications protocol.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for decreasing aerodynamic drag, improving stability, and reducing road spray of a transport vehicle. The apparatus comprises an underbody fairing comprising a substantially parabolic elongated panel. The underbody fairing is strategically positioned beneath the transport vehicle and forward of the rear wheel assembly to deflect air around the rear wheel assembly while also facilitating a laminar airflow moving laterally beneath the transport vehicle.