Abstract: A portable, multimedia terminal adapter cellular (MTAC) has input/outputs for a cellular phone, a PSTN, a cellular network, an IP network and a telephone, which may be integrated. The MTAC has a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) adapted for connection to both the IP network and the PSTN, and connects signaling, media and DC power with the cellular phone. A service platform determines operative presence of the cellular phone. Transcoding between the cellular network and the IP network is performed only by a codec of the cellular phone. The MTAC bridges the PSTN and the cellular phone without gateway functionality, and has gateway functionality that bridges the IP network and the cellular phone without transcoding.

Abstract: A method for authorizing a sale of a product, comprising: sending a first key from a point of sale device to a key management system; determining if the first key is found in the key management system; determining whether the first key is associated with a valid merchant identifier and terminal identifier; and authorizing a sale at a point of sale of the product if the first key is found in the key management system and if the first key is associated with a valid merchant identifier and terminal identifier, wherein a purchaser receives a copy of a second key associated with the first key at time of purchase. The system has a Key Management System (KMS) with databases. The system also has a first key file and associated second key(s) file in said databases.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting water vapor in a gaseous sample. The sensor comprises (a) an anode, (b) a cathode, (c) an electrolyte intermediate the anode and cathode, and (d) an inlet orifice through a central area of the anode or cathode through which the gaseous sample may be placed into contact with the electrolyte. The electrolyte can be retained on a porous electrical-insulating separator located between the interior-facing major surfaces of the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for measuring gas transmission rates and nanoleaks of deformable and brittle materials. The apparatus includes a test chamber having an upper and lower diffusion cells that when closed form a chamber wall seal, a gas inlet and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the lower diffusion cell, the upper diffusion cell being fluidly connected to a high-vacuum mass spectrometer. The method of measuring gas transmission rates and nanoleaks includes placing a sealed package containing the test gas in the lower diffusion cell, closing the upper and lower diffusion cells, flushing the lower diffusion cell with a source of a second gas other than the test gas, closing off the source of the second gas; and measuring the leak rate of the sealed package.

Abstract: An accessory (502) removably attached to a portable computing device (504) and handheld, portable readers (578, 141, 143, and 632) are used to generate and store data that indicate an operator was sufficiently close to each of a plurality of components during an inspection to actually inspect the components. The portable device includes a sensor that detects tokens such as radio frequency identification tags, which are affixed adjacent to the components. Messages appearing on a display and/or audible instructions from the portable reader prompt the operator to proceed to each checkpoint where the state of the component at that location is determined. The date, time and coordinates of each component's inspection (and optionally, the component's state) are included in the data produced by the portable reader. The data are temporarily stored in the portable reader and subsequently transferred to a remote data storage site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide evidence that a person who is intended to make a required inspection was actually physically present at a predefined location associated with the inspection, so that the inspection could have been done, and if not, to provide an indication of the failure to perform the inspection. This invention is particularly well suited to determine if required pre/post-trip inspections of vehicles have been performed. Detecting a triggering condition, such as powering on (or off) equipment, indicates the beginning of a period of time during which the inspection is to be performed. The monitoring system waits for a predetermined event to occur, which indicates the period of time has expired and determines if data corresponding to the inspection have been received. If not, it is concluded that the inspection has not been performed.