Abstract: A semi-autonomous, self-balancing, inline wheeled vehicle utilizes one or more of the wheels to establish and maintain the balance of the vehicle, and one or more of the remaining wheels to steer. The vehicle is particularly suited for narrow pathways and may utilize sensing and vision technologies and/or mechanical sensors to discern and safely negotiate a variety of path types. A feature is the ability to discern and negotiate narrow paths and avoid obstacles with little or no input from the user. Paths may be real-world, real-time paths or may take the form of virtual programed paths. Pathways may include roads, hiking trails, delineated bike lanes, as well as tram-paths built upon modified railroad tracks and railbeds. Versions of the vehicle may be network-controlled from external sources, such that convoys of these vehicles may be operated as a single entity. Some aspects of the design, particularly when combined with modified railways or railbeds, may take the form of a bi-directional monorail system.

Abstract: A wire tracing system includes a voltage output source having a director circuit with a plurality of output channels. Each of the output channels outputs a unique voltage signature. A voltage reader/data recorder includes a conductive probe and a data memory that is partitioned into a plurality of data bins. Each of the data bins in the voltage reader/data recorder is associated with one of the voltage signatures output via the output channels of the director circuit, and each of the data bins is configured to store information associated with each of a plurality of wires to which the output channels are respectively connectable. The system and method permit a single individual to rapidly discover the identities of individual wires and cables without having to repeatedly travel back and forth between those extremities.

Abstract: A wire tracing system includes a voltage output source having a director circuit with a plurality of output channels. Each of the output channels outputs a unique voltage signature. A voltage reader/data recorder includes a conductive probe and a data memory that is partitioned into a plurality of data bins. Each of the data bins in the voltage reader/data recorder is associated with one of the voltage signatures output via the output channels of the director circuit, and each of the data bins is configured to store information associated with each of a plurality of wires to which the output channels are respectively connectable. The system and method permit a single individual to rapidly discover the identities of individual wires and cables without having to repeatedly travel back and forth between those extremities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail. The shuttle is detachable from the motor-driven tape, such that stoppage of the tape can be separate from stoppage of the shuttle. Embodiments further provide a secondary arrestment strap. Further embodiments provide an anti-rollback latch system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail.

Abstract: A clamp includes a first and second handle parts that are pivotable relative to each other and biased closed. A first electrical contactor is associated with the first handle part, and a second electrical contactor is associated with the second handle part. The first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor are positioned such that in the closed position of the clamp, a circuit connection between the first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor is open, and in the open position, the circuit connection is closed.

Abstract: Vehicle restraints and fence systems that offer better protection to the driver and vehicle in the event of an accident where the car becomes airborne and leaves the road or track, and catch fences for halting the overrun of a car leaving a racetrack. The catch fences may have pivotable poles and a cable extending between the poles. Net or fencing is installed between the poles, supported by the cable. The poles may be angled or curved, with a plurality of cables extending therebetween or with a net extending from the poles and attached to a Steel and Foam Energy Reduction barrier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail. The shuttle is detachable from the motor-driven tape, such that stoppage of the tape can be separate from stoppage of the shuttle. Embodiments further provide a secondary arrestment strap. Further embodiments provide an anti-rollback latch system.

Abstract: A mobile computing device includes a processor and a touch-sensitive display cooperable with the processor. The processor executes instructions to display a character set on the touch-sensitive display for receiving input from a user of the mobile computing device. The character set includes a plurality of keys that are arranged in an arc. The processor receives the input from the user of the mobile computing device by way of the touch-sensitive display.

Abstract: A clamp includes a first and second handle parts that are pivotable relative to each other and biased closed. A first electrical contactor is associated with the first handle part, and a second electrical contactor is associated with the second handle part. The first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor are positioned such that in the closed position of the clamp, a circuit connection between the first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor is open, and in the open position, the circuit connection is closed.

Abstract: Data input may be effected with a keyboard including a first keypad having five keys and a second keypad having five keys. The keys of the first keypad are correlated with columns of a 5×5 matrix including 25 cells, where each of the five keys of the first keypad is associated with one column. The keys of the second keypad are correlated with rows of the 5×5 matrix, where each of the five keys of the second keypad is associated with one row. Each combination consisting of one key from each of the first and second keypads is thereby associated with one of the 25 cells in the 5×5 matrix, and each cell of the 25 cells contains content. One key from each of the first and second keypads activated, and the content from one of the 25 cells is input based on the activated keys. This input is repeated until data entry is complete.

Abstract: Data input may be effected with a keyboard including a first keypad having five keys and a second keypad having five keys. The keys of the first keypad are correlated with columns of a 5×5 matrix including 25 cells, where each of the five keys of the first keypad is associated with one column. The keys of the second keypad are correlated with rows of the 5×5 matrix, where each of the five keys of the second keypad is associated with one row. Each combination consisting of one key from each of the first and second keypads is thereby associated with one of the 25 cells in the 5×5 matrix, and each cell of the 25 cells contains content. One key from each of the first and second keypads activated, and the content from one of the 25 cells is input based on the activated keys. This input is repeated until data entry is complete.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail.

Abstract: A data input system and method utilize a keyboard including a first keypad having at least five keys and a second keypad having at least five keys. With the at least ten keys of the first and second keypads, at least twenty-five two-key combinations including one key from each of the first and second keypads are established, where the two-key combinations each represent characters. Additionally, at least twenty chord combinations including multiple keys from the first keypad and multiple keys from the second keypad are established, where the chord combinations each represent special characters and commands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide vehicle restraints and fence systems that offer better protection to the driver and vehicle in the event of an accident where the car becomes airborne and leaves the road or track.

Abstract: A data input system and method utilize a keyboard including a first keypad having at least five keys and a second keypad having at least five keys. With the at least ten keys of the first and second keypads, at least twenty-five two-key combinations including one key from each of the first and second keypads are established, where the two-key combinations each represent characters. Additionally, at least twenty chord combinations including multiple keys from the first keypad and multiple keys from the second keypad are established, where the chord combinations each represent special characters and commands.

Abstract: A universal system used to monitor external conditions, particularly including environmental conditions, to preemptively activate secondary power sources and isolate electric loads from a main power source such as an electric utility's power grid for the purpose of protecting the load from dangerous power conditions brought about by the external condition. The system includes a universal control module capable of communicating with a variety of external stimuli sensors and automatic transfer switches that switch a load's power source from one source to another upon activation, which results in the isolation of the load from the main (or another) power source.

Abstract: A universal system used to monitor external conditions, particularly including environmental conditions, to preemptively activate secondary power sources and isolate electric loads from a main power source such as an electric utility's power grid for the purpose of protecting the load from dangerous power conditions brought about by the external condition. The system includes a universal control module capable of communicating with a variety of external stimuli sensors and automatic transfer switches that switch a load's power source from one source to another upon activation, which results in the isolation of the load from the main (or another) power source.

Abstract: A method for certified delivery of an outgoing message or messages in a multipoint anonymous, publish/subscribe telecommunications system. The system for utilizing the method and program product is one having at least one publisher (10) and at least one subscriber (20). The method is carried out by first establishing a certified delivery session ledger. Next each outgoing message is labeled with a label including the delivery session name and a sequence number. The labeled outgoing message or messages are then sent to subscribers, and received by a subscriber. Various protocols are described.

Abstract: A lightning protection system including a monitoring system (10) for detecting dangerous atmospheric conditions within specific geographic zones, a transmission system (12) for sending control codes, and multiple circuit connection/disconnection devices (16) for electrically connecting to electronic equipment to be protected. The lightning protection system (10) protects electrical and electronic equipment (18) by detecting and locating dangerous atmospheric conditions in a particular geographic area and transmitting broadcast control commands to electrical circuit connection/disconnection devices (16) in the geographic area, which have a receiver for receiving the broadcast control commands and an interruption mechanism (16) for disconnecting and reconnecting the electrical equipment from external conductors in response to the control commands. The monitoring system (10) may consist of multiple detectors located in different geographic areas.