Abstract: An end of train (EOT) system includes monitoring equipment with a sensor to monitor a pressure of air in a brake mechanism in a railcar, and a power supply having battery cells and a temperature control system for the battery cells. The temperature control system includes a heat sink in heat transference contact with the battery cells, and an electronically controlled heater for the battery cells. The temperature control system includes a temperature sensor, and a control device coupled with the temperature sensor and the electronically controlled heater to vary an output of the heater based on an output of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An end of train (EOT) system includes monitoring equipment with a sensor to monitor a pressure of air in a brake mechanism in a railcar, and a power supply having battery cells and a temperature control system for the battery cells. The temperature control system includes a heat sink in heat transference contact with the battery cells, and an electronically controlled heater for the battery cells. The temperature control system includes a temperature sensor, and a control device coupled with the temperature sensor and the electronically controlled heater to vary an output of the heater based on an output of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of providing rewards for casino gaming includes a system receiving a request and creating a player record in a database by obtaining player data including a balance, and assigning the player record a unique key. A casino bank communicates with the database and creates a player debit account. The database updates the player record to include a unique debit account identifier linked to the debit account. The database copies the key to the redemption card and the database copies the debit account identifier to the redemption card, if the debit account identifier is not already encoded on the redemption card, and authorizes a terminal to dispense the redemption card. The database updates the balance of the player record upon the player gambling, wherein the redemption card is provided to the terminal which receives and communicates the key and transaction data to the database for updating the player record.

Abstract: A method of providing rewards for casino gaming includes a system receiving a request and creating a player record in a database by obtaining player data including a balance, and assigning the player record a unique key. A casino bank communicates with the database and creates a player debit account. The database updates the player record to include a unique debit account identifier linked to the debit account. The database copies the key to the redemption card and the database copies the debit account identifier to the redemption card, if the debit account identifier is not already encoded on the redemption card, and authorizes a terminal to dispense the redemption card. The database updates the balance of the player record upon the player gambling, wherein the redemption card is provided to the terminal which receives and communicates the key and transaction data to the database for updating the player record.

Abstract: A warning system for intersections, particularly those involving a railway crossing is provided. The present invention comprises a triggering mechanism to identify when a target train or vehicle is approaching a target intersection, software to calculate the speed of the target vehicle or train in relation to the target intersection and further comprising sound emission features to emit a desired sound, and an acoustic beam emitter to focus a warning sound in the direction of and local to only the danger zone. Also provided is a supplementary system to provide a warning to pedestrian crossing predetermined danger points.

Abstract: A novel scanning monochromator uses a PM stepper-motor to directly drive a diffraction grating. By employing interpolated encoder feedback in combination with the PM stepper-motor feedback, a resolution of over 250,000 pulsed steps is available for each revolution of the PM stepper-motor. This translates into more than 20,000 incremental angular-displacement steps over a usable 30° range of dispersion-element rotation. High field accuracy is achieved by a direct PM stepper-driven diffraction grating, and a unique calibration approach based on Wood's anomalies. A plurality of diffracted light beams emerge from the oscillating grating, and these are scanned past a detector for detection, whereby the relative rotation information of the grating can be detected with great accuracy. A number of tolerance-correcting measures are also included to yield an extremely accurate, self-lubricating scanning monochromator that can be economically produced.

Abstract: System and method for the remote alerting of a user that his or her RF signal receiving device, e.g., cellular phone, pager, email apparatus, or other RF signal receiving device, is receiving an incoming signal. The system employs a RF detector, unique data word generator, unique data word transmitter, and unique data word receiver. The unique data word generator is notified of an incoming RF signal, creates a unique data word that is then transmitted by the unique data word transmitter to a remote unique data word receiver, the unique data word receiver verifying the unique data word and, if acceptable, emitting an alert to the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved design associated with the fabrication and construction of a portable self-contained intrusion device that utilizes in conjunction therewith prior art technology of expandable air bags wherein there is provided a hollow static bar member having rotatably affixed thereto a threaded collar member which is capable of receiving a threaded pressure bar member such that upon rotational movement of the threaded collar member, the pressure bar member is either extended from or retracted into the hollow static bar member thereby causing the selective positioning of the portable self-contained intrusion device across any inwardly opening door. By having wedge members affixed to to exposed ends of the static bar member and the pressure bar member respectively, there is achieved a stable method to quickly and silently place across an inwardly opening door the portable self-contained intrusion device.