Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has a first radio configured to operate on one of a plurality of radio frequency (RF) channels, a processing and management application program interface (API), and a controller. A system for active radio frequency (RF) channel switching includes the UAV and a head end control unit in wireless communication with the UAV. A method of RF spectrum identification and mapping includes collecting RF data by the UAV within an area of operation, determining location data within the area of operation using a global positioning system (GPS) located on the UAV, and mapping the RF data of the area of operation using the location data.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a communications network include a main communication radio configured to be operated from a base location in or near a signal deprived environment, one or more personnel radios configured to be carried by a corresponding number of personnel operating within the signal deprived environment, and a plurality of wireless communication devices configured to be carried by the personnel. Each of the plurality of wireless communication devices can be selectively deployed as a deployed device within the signal deprived environment by the personnel, from the base location, or automatically, based on a signal strength of a monitored signal falling to or below a minimum signal threshold. The communications network is established and/or maintained between the main communication radio and the one or more personnel radios and/or between the one or more personnel radios through any one or more of the deployed devices of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for establishing a communications network include a remote-control vehicle configured for wireless communication and a plurality of wireless communication devices carried by a part of the remote-control vehicle. The remote-control vehicle is configured to selectively eject or dispense the plurality of communication devices as deployed devices within a signal deprived environment. Each deployed device is capable of wireless communication with the remote-control vehicle and with one or more other of the deployed devices.

Abstract: A black box system for a land-based premises includes a black box device located in or near the premises. The black box device has a destruction resistant case or shell and operational components housed within the case or shell. The system has at least one remote component external to and in communication with the black box device and disposed at, on, or in the premises. The remote component is configured to collect information, signals, and/or data about premises conditions and to transmit the collected information, signals, and/or data to the black box device. The black box device receives the transmitted information, signals, and/or data from the remote component and stores same for a period of time before and/or during a triggering event. The stored transmitted information, signals, and/or data can be retrieved from the black box device after the triggering event.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a dorsal wear-pad having an external, low-friction, high-wear-resistance surface, the dorsal wear-pad configured to be releasably coupled to a D-ring connection region of a fall-protection safety harness. In various embodiments, the dorsal wear-pad may project out and away from a wearer so as to prevent the D-ring from contacting a wall surface. For example, the dorsal wear-pad may have a D-ring aperture through which the D-ring may project. In some embodiments, the dorsal wear-pad may have a back shield to prevent a snap-hook connected to the D-ring from contacting a wearer's back. An exemplary embodiment may have two prominences, one on either side of the D-ring. Some exemplary dorsal wear-pads may advantageously protect both a wearer and the wearer's harness during sliding or leaning engagements with vertical surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a flexible lumbar wear-pad having an external low-friction high-wear-resistance surface, the lumbar wear-pad configured to be replaceably coupled to the lower back region of a belted fall-protection safety harness. In various embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may cover a length of the webbing over the hip and lumbar vertebrae regions of a wearer's lower back. In some embodiments a lumbar wear-pad may be field replaceable on a fall-protection safety harness. An exemplary embodiment may have three prominences, a smaller center prominence located near a wearer's lumbar vertebrae and two side prominences located near a wearer's hip bones. In some embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may be flexible so as to anatomically conform to a wearer's body. Exemplary lumbar wear-pads may provide protection for both a wearer and the wearer's harness during sliding or leaning engagements with vertical surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a flexible lumbar wear-pad having an external low-friction high-wear-resistance surface, the lumbar wear-pad configured to be replaceably coupled to the lower back region of a belted fall-protection safety harness. In various embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may cover a length of the webbing over the hip and lumbar vertebrae regions of a wearer's lower back. In some embodiments a lumbar wear-pad may be field replaceable on a fall-protection safety harness. An exemplary embodiment may have three prominences, a smaller center prominence located near a wearer's lumbar vertebrae and two side prominences located near a wearer's hip bones. In some embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may be flexible so as to anatomically conform to a wearer's body. Exemplary lumbar wear-pads may provide protection for both a wearer and the wearer's harness during sliding or leaning engagements with vertical surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a dorsal wear-pad having an external, low-friction, high-wear-resistance surface, the dorsal wear-pad configured to be releasably coupled to a D-ring connection region of a fall-protection safety harness. In various embodiments, the dorsal wear-pad may project out and away from a wearer so as to prevent the D-ring from contacting a wall surface. For example, the dorsal wear-pad may have a D-ring aperture through which the D-ring may project. In some embodiments, the dorsal wear-pad may have a back shield to prevent a snap-hook connected to the D-ring from contacting a wearer's back. An exemplary embodiment may have two prominences, one on either side of the D-ring. Some exemplary dorsal wear-pads may advantageously protect both a wearer and the wearer's harness during sliding or leaning engagements with vertical surfaces.

Abstract: A server for automatically handling dial-up connectivity problems via a voice connection can include a controller to interface with a caller during a voice call, query a network operations center using a data connection to determine whether a dial-up number associated with the caller and received by the server is out of service, and present alternative dial-up numbers during the voice call without prompting the caller for further information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A server for automatically handling dial-up connectivity problems via a voice connection can include a controller to interface with a caller during a voice call, query a network operations center using a data connection to determine whether a dial-up number associated with the caller and received by the server is out of service, and present alternative dial-up numbers during the voice call without prompting the caller for further information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reporting and responding to dial-up connectivity problems can include the step of establishing a voice connection between a caller and an automated response system. The caller can be automatically prompted for a dial-up access number that is problematic for the caller. A determination can be automatically made as to whether the received dial-up access number is valid. A potential problem can be automatically reported to a network operations center responsible for the access number via a data connection. The caller can be automatically presented with at least one alternative dial-up access number via the voice connection.

Abstract: A GNSS control system and method are provided for guiding, navigating and controlling a motive component, such as a tractor, and a working component, such as an implement. A vector position/heading sensor is mounted on the motive component and includes multiple antennas connected to a GNSS receiver. The sensor also includes inertial sensors and a direction sensor, which are connected to a microprocessor of a steering control module (SCM). The SCM can be hot swapped among different vehicles and can interface with their respective original, onboard control systems. The implement can be provided with an optional GNSS antenna, receiver or both, and can be guided independently of the motive component. The SCM can be preprogrammed to guide the vehicle over a field in operating modes including straight line, contour, concentric circle and point+direction.

Abstract: A method for an automated voice response system to present access numbers status information to dial-up Internet users. The automated voice response system can perform the step of establishing a telephony communication with a party responsive to a received telephone call from the party. An access number can be received from the party. At least one data store can be queried for entries associated the access number. Responsive to this query, a current status for the access number can be determined. An indication of the status can be presented to the party across the telephone communication.

Abstract: A system and method that provides a message engine to facilitate intra-day receiving of first data relative to the trade transaction on behalf of one party to the trade transaction, wherein the first data include a code identifying an opposing party to the transaction; sending a message to the designated opposing party prior to submitting the trade transaction for matching prior to end-of-day clearing; and monitoring a message queue for a response and sending a message to at least one of the parties based on the response.

Abstract: A system and method that provides intra-day confirmation of non-anonymous trade transactions made at an exchange includes the entry into a computer system of first data relative to the trade transaction on behalf of one party to the trade transaction, wherein the first data include a code identifying an opposing party to the transaction. A message is sent to the designated opposing party prior to submitting the trade transaction for matching prior to end-of-day clearing. The trade transaction is matched to second data relative to the trade transaction entered into the system based on identity between certain elements of the first data and the second data, and a confirmation is sent to at least one of the parties to the trade transaction.

Abstract: A method for automatically providing output for a communication related to dialup Internet services. The method includes the step of determining an in-progress customer communication is related to dialup connectivity. A service region for the customer can be ascertained. A plurality of currently published dialup access numbers for the service region can be automatically fetched. For each fetched number, a status can be identified. At least one software engine automatically process the access number and status information. The at least one software engine can automatically perform at least one programmatic action resulting in output being supplied to at least one party participating in the customer communication, even though the party has not specifically requested the output.

Abstract: A method for reporting and responding to dial-up connectivity problems can include the step of establishing a voice connection between a caller and an automated response system. The caller can be automatically prompted for a dial-up access number that is problematic for the caller. A determination can be automatically made as to whether the received dial-up access number is valid. A potential problem can be automatically reported to a network operations center responsible for the access number via a data connection. The caller can be automatically presented with at least one alternative dial-up access number via the voice connection.