Abstract: A content management system disclosed communicates between commercial participants and social media participants connected by a social media network including a location-centric system that tracks store locations of its commercial participants relative to a location of one or more mobile communication devices of one or more portions of social media participants. A product and service licensing center categorizes the commercial participants in accordance with a level of economic benefit participation in relationship to the location of the one or more mobile communication devices of the social media participants.

Abstract: A consumer-based purchase and referral rewards loyalty system is disclosed. In the system, mobile communication devices include a location tracking devices. Data tags or other wireless communication devices are enabled to communicate with one or more mobile communication devices and to collect an identification code of each. Custom sales presentation module communicatively couples to the mobile communication devices and the data tags or wireless communication devices. Responsive to a locality of goods or services proximal to or predicted proximal to the location tracking devices, the custom sales presentation module generates a user specific sales presentation, which is sent to one or more mobile communication devices to advertise products or services.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a distance to objects or a nearest object to a wireless enabled device. The method includes the steps of broadcasting a signal by the wireless enabled device to data tags, receiving by the data tags the signal by the wireless enabled device, and obtaining by each of the data tags a signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device based on the signal from the wireless enabled device. Each of the data tags in a range transmits a signal to the wireless enabled device including the signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device. Each signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device is communicated to a positioning and communication system.

Abstract: A location based system is disclosed. One or more phased array modules are configured to scan to determine a signal strength indicator of a signal broadcasted from at least one wireless mobile device within a distance area. Based on a signal strength indicator measured at multiple angular directions by the one or more phased array modules from the at least one wireless mobile device, a location of each wireless mobile device is determined within a room, building, or outside location.

Abstract: A wireless network reset system is disclosed. The system couples or connects to a power supply line. A microcontroller software module senses a signal from a Wi-Fi module that indicates a halting of a processor function. A reset module executes a reset based on the halting of the processor function.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a distance to objects or a nearest object to a wireless enabled device. The method includes the steps of broadcasting a signal by the wireless enabled device to data tags, receiving by the data tags the signal by the wireless enabled device, and obtaining by each of the data tags a signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device based on the signal from the wireless enabled device. Each of the data tags in a range transmits a signal to the wireless enabled device including the signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device. Each signal strength indicator of the wireless enabled device is communicated to a positioning and communication system.

Abstract: Wireless information communication and delivery systems are described herein that include at least one wireless-enabled device, a device location system, a positioning and communication system, and an information repository system. A configurable wireless protocol device is disclosed that includes a multi-modal transceiver that can establish a communication network with a local wireless-enabled device. A wireless network is described that includes: at least one configurable wireless protocol device; at least one wireless-enabled device; and at least one wireless access point. Methods of locating a wireless-enabled device are described and include: providing a wireless-enabled device, providing a configurable wireless protocol device comprising a modified wireless-protocol; and utilizing the configurable wireless protocol device to actively scan for the wireless-enabled device.

Abstract: A standoff device for positioning a ladder with respect to a supporting structure which is temporarily and rigidly attached to the upper end of a ladder for the purpose of holding the ladder away from the structure against which the ladder is leaning to provide more stability and means to provide a comfortable distance between the user and the structure during tasks such as painting, power washing house frame and sidings, and for the installation and cleaning of gutters, for carpentry, roofing, tree trimming and pruning. The standoff comprises a pivotal frame which is moveably and adjustably secured to a selected rung of the ladder with the pivotal movement limited by chain, rope, strap, strut, telescoping member, or other holding means attached to a lower portion of the ladder such as a lower rung. The standoff device includes a frame having extendable legs having padded rollers journal led on the end thereof which contact the structure.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel module, including: receiving a plurality of sensor signals generated based on at least one detected characteristic of a laser beam of an optical drive; performing computations based on the plurality of sensor signals; generating a computation output signal based on the computations; generating a first control signal and a second control signal; generating a first input signal based on (i) the computation output signal, (ii) the first control signal, and (iii) a first set of filter values; generating a second input signal based on (i) the second control signal, (ii) a second set of filter values, and (iii) an accumulated output signal; generating the accumulated output signal based on a sum of products generated based on the first input signal and the second input signal; and adjusting the at least one detected characteristic of the laser beam based on the accumulated output signal.

Abstract: A servo accelerator for an optical drive includes input and output (I/O) terminals that receive an input signal from a processor of the optical drive. An error circuit generates an error signal based on a sensed characteristic of a laser beam. A compensation circuit generates a compensation signal based on the input signal and the error signal. A servo output adjusts the sensed characteristic of the laser beam based on the compensation signal.

Abstract: A fuel selection device is provided for allowing a user to connect the cylinders of an internal combustion engine to a user-selected fuel source. The fuel selection device includes a housing that defines a cavity for receiving a moveable selector therein. The selector defining first, second, third and fourth flow paths. The first and second flow paths are used for flowing a first type (e.g., natural gas) of fuel from a fuel source to the cylinders of the engine. The second and fourth flow paths are used for flowing a second type of fuel (e.g., liquid propane vapor) from a fuel source to the cylinder. The selector is movable between a first position wherein first and second cylinders communicate with the first and second flow paths, respectively, and a second position wherein the first and second cylinders communicate with the second flow path and fourth flow paths, respectively.

Abstract: A method and computer program are provided for managing man hours of multiple individuals working one or more tasks during a predefined time period that include selectively opening a plurality of tasks of differing task characteristic and task type, selectively associating one or more individuals to one of the open plurality of tasks, selectively unassociating at least one of the associated one or more individuals, maintaining at least one timer for each of the open plurality of tasks, selectively closing one or more of the open plurality of tasks, and selectively outputting an invoice for the closed plurality of tasks based on the bid price of each of the open plurality of tasks. One or more of the individuals are associated and unassociated prior to completion of the open one or more tasks. The at least one timer maintains a total time for all of the associated one or more individuals for each of the open plurality of tasks.

Abstract: A fuel selection device is provided for allowing a user to connect the cylinders of an internal combustion engine to a user-selected fuel source. The fuel selection device includes a housing that defines a cavity for receiving a moveable selector therein. The selector defining first, second, third and fourth flow paths. The first and second flow paths are used for flowing a first type (e.g., natural gas) of fuel from a fuel source to the cylinders of the engine. The second and fourth flow paths are used for flowing a second type of fuel (e.g., liquid propane vapor) from a fuel source to the cylinder. The selector is movable between a first position wherein first and second cylinders communicate with the first and second flow paths, respectively, and a second position wherein the first and second cylinders communicate with the second flow path and fourth flow paths, respectively.

Abstract: A transfer switch is provided for transferring the supply of electrical power to a load between a utility source and a generator that generates electrical power when started. The transfer switch includes a transfer relay that selectively connects the load to one of the utility source and the generator in response to the application of electrical power on the coil of the transfer relay by the generator. A generator relay having a coil operatively connected to the utility source is also provided. The generator relay provides a signal to the generator to start in response to the absence of electrical power on the coil of the generator relay by the utility source.

Abstract: A method of forming interconnections between channels and/or chambers for use in a micro-fluidic device. Two planer substrates (usually glass and silicon respectively) having etched channels are bonded together to form volmes where the channels overlap. A manifolding cut is then made through the glass, intersecting glass channels only. An organic solution is passed into cut, and flows through silicon channels. An aqueous solution is passed into cut, and flows through glass channels. The solutions meet in the region, where matter is transferred from one solution to another.

Abstract: A communication protocol specification is divided into subsets of parameters based on patterns established by equipment vendors. A combination of subsets is selected based on parameters and features supported by particular network devices installed in a network. A user interface facilitates convenient creation or modification of a configuration file, which instructs a network device how to format a communication message and what information is to be contained therein. After the configuration file is loaded into a device, it controls software switches in the device such that features and parameters corresponding to the parameters selected with the user interface and controlled by the switches are either enabled or disable based on the parameters selected. Supported parameter combinations for popular equipment may be prestored so that selection with the interface of a particular piece of equipment automatically edits the configuration file according to the features and parameters supported by said equipment.

Abstract: A transfer switch is provided for transferring the supply of electrical power to a load between a utility source and a generator that generates electrical power when started. The transfer switch includes a transfer relay that selectively connects the load to one of the utility source and the generator in response to the application of electrical power on the coil of the transfer relay by the generator. A generator relay having a coil operatively connected to the utility source is also provided. The generator relay provides a signal to the generator to start in response to the absence of electrical power on the coil of the generator relay by the utility source.

Abstract: An air flow structure is provided for controlling the flow of air through an enclosure of a generator. The enclosure has first and second opposite ends and the generator includes an alternator and an engine driving the alternator. A first air flow generator draws ambient air into the chamber through the first end of the enclosure and directs the first portion of air in the chamber across the engine. A second air flow generator draws a second portion of the air over the alternator, and thereafter, combines the first portion of air directed over the engine and the second portion of air drawn over the alternator. The second air flow generator urges the combined air from the enclosure through the second end thereof.

Abstract: An air flow structure is provided for controlling the flow of air through an enclosure of a generator. The enclosure has first and second opposite ends and the generator includes an alternator and an engine driving the alternator. A first air flow generator draws ambient air into the chamber through the first end of the enclosure and directs the first portion of air in the chamber across the engine. A second air flow generator draws a second portion of the air over the alternator, and thereafter, combines the first portion of air directed over the engine and the second portion of air drawn over the alternator. The second air flow generator urges the combined air from the enclosure through the second end thereof.

Abstract: A fuel regulator is provided for regulating the supply of fuel to a multi-cylinder engine. The regulator includes a regulator body defining a holding chamber connectable to a fuel source; a first supply chamber connectable to a first cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine; and a second supply chamber connectable to a second cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. Orifices are provided between the supply chambers and the holding chamber. A first regulating structure is movable between a closed position wherein the orifice between the holding chamber and the first supply chamber is closed and an open position wherein the orifice between the holding chamber and the supply chamber is open in response to the fuel demanded by the first cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine.