Abstract: A universal smart key (USK) provides advanced proximity, location, distance or ranging capabilities and communicates with vehicles and smart phones to perform a set of vehicle-related operations and replicates OEM key and may include one or more of Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, NFC and other communications capabilities for determining location, proximity, range, distance of a user possessing the USK relative to vehicle location. A mobile (key) fob bridge (MFB) connected with vehicle communications/immobilizer control system and provides proximity, location, distance or ranging capabilities and communicates with vehicle and smart phones to perform a set of operations and may be located within a vehicle and communicate with smart key to provide a passive keyless entry system. The MFB may include Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, NFC and other communications capabilities for determining one or more of location, proximity, range, distance of a user possessing a smart key relative to the MFB device and one or more vehicle location(s).

Abstract: A system and method for lowering a pantograph includes a frame that may be extended or retracted. The system and method may include various structure for retracting the frame and for increasing a rate at which the frame is retracted. In particular embodiments, an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motor may be used to retract the frame during normal operations, and a continuity circuit operably connected to the motor may accelerate the rate at which the motor retracts the frame.

Abstract: An emissions output of an engine, such as a diesel generator, may be determined from the load on the engine and an exhaust volume from the engine. Chemicals such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) may be calculated for a measured load on the engine. The calculation may include determining an air flow in the engine from air pressure measurements and turbo compressor speed measurements. The calculation may also include determining a gas flow into the engine by deriving fuel flow from known test results. The calculated emissions output may be used to ensure compliance of an engine with environmental regulations. A remote monitoring program may generate alerts when the engine fails to comply with environmental regulations.

Abstract: A sensor that includes an actuator having a plurality of actuator magnets. A detector proximate to and mechanically isolated from the actuator defines a bore. A detector magnet inside the bore may move in the bore from a first position to a second position. An optical signal passes through the detector so that the detector magnet blocks the optical signal when the detector magnet is in the first position.

Abstract: An emissions output of an engine, such as a diesel generator, may be determined from the load on the engine and an exhaust volume from the engine. Chemicals such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) may be calculated for a measured load on the engine. The calculation may include determining an air flow in the engine from air pressure measurements and turbo compressor speed measurements. The calculation may also include determining a gas flow into the engine by deriving fuel flow from known test results. The calculated emissions output may be used to ensure compliance of an engine with environmental regulations. A remote monitoring program may generate alerts when the engine fails to comply with environmental regulations.

Abstract: A sensor that includes an actuator having a plurality of actuator magnets. A detector proximate to and mechanically isolated from the actuator defines a bore. A detector magnet inside the bore may move in the bore from a first position to a second position. An optical signal passes through the detector so that the detector magnet blocks the optical signal when the detector magnet is in the first position.

Abstract: A proximity detection system for an appliance is disclosed. The system includes an electrically conductive sensor for a capacitive proximity detection system, the sensor forming a part of an accessory device for the appliance; and an electrically conductive member disposed substantially opposite a location of the sensor and electrically connected to a ground potential to form a ground shield for the sensor.

Abstract: A proximity detection system for an appliance is disclosed. The system includes an electrically conductive sensor for a capacitive proximity detection system, the sensor forming a part of an accessory device for the appliance; and an electrically conductive member disposed substantially opposite a location of the sensor and electrically connected to a ground potential to form a ground shield for the sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a manganese oxide material, wherein the material comprises a host material QqMnyMzOx, where Q and M are each any element, y is any number greater than zero, and q and z are each any number greater than or equal to zero, and at least one dopant substituted into the host material, the manganese oxide material having a layered structure in which the ions are arranged in a series of generally planar layers, or sheets, stacked one on top of another. In a particularly preferred material Q is Li and M is either Co, Ni, Al, or Li. Particularly preferred combinations of M and a dopant are Ni,Co; Al,Co; Li,Cu; Li,Al; and Li,Zn. A method of preparing the material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated back and forth by an operator during use to print an image. An inkjet printhead of the printer has a plurality of fluid firing actuators arranged in a substantial column. A controller communicates with the printhead to identify active actuators given to fire at a particular time during use to print the image. However, to prevent unsightly print quality from occurring during overlapping adjacent print swaths, for example, certain of the identified actuators are prevented from firing. Especially, actuators in the column further from a center of the column fire less frequently than those closer to the center. A position sensor is also used to locate the printhead relative to the image. The controller correlates the position to the printhead and actuators and fires the active actuators or not.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated back and forth by an operator during use to print an image. An inkjet printhead of the printer has a plurality of fluid firing actuators arranged in a substantial column. A controller communicates with the printhead to identify active actuators given to fire at a particular time during use to print the image. However, to prevent unsightly print quality from occurring during overlapping adjacent print swaths, for example, certain of the identified actuators are prevented from firing. Especially, actuators in the column further from a center of the column fire less frequently than those closer to the center. A position sensor is also used to locate the printhead relative to the image. The controller correlates the position to the printhead and actuators and fires the active actuators or not.

Abstract: A phone jack connection detection system and method of operating the same, including a phone jack circuit having a data access arrangement circuit in communication with at least two pins, a stimulus input in communication with the phone jack circuit, the stimulus input being adapted to communicate a stimulus to the phone jack circuit, and a detection circuit in communication with the phone jack circuit, the detection circuit being adapted to detect a response of the phone jack circuit to the stimulus and notify a user of the status of the connection.

Abstract: Method of printing from a printer, where the printer includes one or more maintenance firings from a printhead nozzle. Formatting a print job to be printed in determining which nozzles on a printhead require maintenance during printing of the print job. Modifying the formatted print job to include one or more maintenance firings for the nozzles requiring maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a sheet of media includes a perforation forming mechanism including at least one perforation device. The perforation forming mechanism is configured to drive the perforation device through the sheet of media to extend through the sheet of media by a distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a sheet of media includes a perforation forming mechanism including at least one perforation device. The perforation forming mechanism is configured to drive the perforation device through the sheet of media to extend through the sheet of media by a distance.

Abstract: A method for printing incoming facsimiles assigns a print-priority number to a plurality of known facsimile origination identification numbers, wherein the print-priority number is different for at least two of the plurality. The method also identifies the facsimile origination identification number of incoming facsimiles. The method also stores the incoming facsimiles if from a known facsimile origination identification number assigned one of at least two different print-priority numbers. The method also prints the stored facsimiles in an order based at least on their corresponding print-priority numbers.

Abstract: A method and system for auto-routing signals including receiving an incoming call from a sender, determining whether the incoming call includes data signals, and toggling between a fax mode and a voice mode based upon the determining step, wherein the fax mode includes receiving the data signals and the voice mode includes simulating a ring tone to the sender and routing the incoming call to at least one downstream device.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for detecting the presence of an ink jet printhead when a printhead controller fails to properly identify an installed printhead using a printhead identification device. The system includes a printhead including heater resistors and control elements, and a controller connected to the printhead via address and data lines. When the controller fails to properly identify an installed printhead, the controller operates to bias the control elements in a predetermined manner via at least one address line, detect a signal via the data lines, and generate a signal indicative of the presence of the installed printhead.

Abstract: Methods and system for validating facsimile communications by ensuring that each detected facsimile calling tone is actually a facsimile calling tone that was generated by a sending facsimile device. The method can include establishing a connection between a sending facsimile device and a receiving facsimile device, which was initiated by either the sending facsimile device or the receiving facsimile device. The connection can be utilized for at least one of facsimile communication, voice communication, and a combination of facsimile communication and voice communication. The method can also comprise switching the receiving facsimile machine from a voice-capable mode to a facsimile mode once at least one facsimile calling tone is detected after a first facsimile calling tone is detected while the receiving facsimile device in the line monitoring mode.

Abstract: A method for carrying out predetermined actions by a telecom receiving device. A predetermined answer string is entered and stored in a memory portion of a receiving telecom device. Incoming calls are checked for appropriateness. Accepted incoming calls are monitored for a predetermined event. If the predetermined event is detected, a set of steps are accomplished in accordance with the previously stored answer string. The receiving telecom device then resumes normal operation after completing the actions represented by the answer string.