Abstract: Dispensers and dispensers having refill units with energy on the refill unit energy sources are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a housing, a motor for operating a pump, an object sensor, an auxiliary power source, a receptacle for receiving a refill unit and an energy on the refill receiving receptacle. The dispenser further includes a processor, memory, one or more capacitors, an energy on refill voltage boost circuit, a high power voltage buck circuit and a low power regulator circuit. The low power regulator circuit provides power for at least the processor and the object sensor. The capacitors provide power to the high power voltage buck circuit and the low voltage regulator, and the high voltage buck circuit provides power to operate the motor. A refill unit have an energy on the refill energy source may be inserted into the dispenser.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: Low cost, low power consumption radio frequency transceivers are incorporated in barrier operator control systems for transmitting signals between an operator control unit, one or more remote control units, a diagnostic or calibration device and an obstruction detector. Similar detector devices, including such transceivers, may be employed in loading docks for detecting the status of dock levelers and vehicle restraint devices. Radio frequency communication eliminates the need for hard wiring and also provides for transmission of commands and status information between various control units.

Abstract: Low cost, low power consumption radio frequency transceivers are incorporated in barrier operator control systems for transmitting signals between an operator control unit, one or more remote control units, a diagnostic or calibration device and an obstruction detector. Similar detector devices, including such transceivers, may be employed in loading docks for detecting the status of dock levelers and vehicle restraint devices. Radio frequency communication eliminates the need for hard wiring and also provides for transmission of commands and status information between various control units.

Abstract: Low cost, low power consumption radio frequency transceivers are incorporated in barrier operator control systems for transmitting signals between an operator control unit, one or more remote control units, a diagnostic or calibration device and an obstruction detector. Similar detector devices, including such transceivers, may be employed in loading docks for detecting the status of dock levelers and vehicle restraint devices. Radio frequency communication eliminates the need for hard wiring and also provides for transmission of commands and status information between various control units.

Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for converting and optimizing the fuel system of an internal combustion engine in a pre-existing (used) vehicle to be fuel flexible and thus to operate on a mixture of fuels (like ethanol and gasoline) from a single fuel tank. The conversion includes adding a fuel composition sensor installed in the fuel line and/or adding an exhaust gas oxygen sensor installed in the engine's exhaust in addition to adding an electronic control unit with at least one fuel injector driver circuit for controlling an output signal to at least one fuel injector for controlling the air to fuel ratio of the engine. The electronic control unit can control both engine ignition timing and the air to fuel ratio of the engine based upon the composition of fuel mixture in the fuel tank. The electronic control unit can also control other aspects of engine operation like intake manifold boost for those engines that have turbo or superchargers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to retrofit a pre-existing vehicle with a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system incorporates a fuel cell for powering an electric motor that has its rotor or armature constructed as part of a driveshaft such that the driveshaft can be turned via the electric motor or by the force of the vehicle's OEM type engine for the purpose of driving at least one wheel of the vehicle without the need for an interconnecting gearbox. The apparatus of the fuel cell system also includes an electronic control unit for controlling the fuel cell system. The electronic control unit can also control aspects of the OEM engine. The engine's OEM Engine Control Module (ECM) and the vehicle's original emission control devices are not modified or replaced in this conversion.

Abstract: The apparatus and method convert the fuel system of an internal combustion engine in a pre-existing (used) vehicle to operate on a mixture of fuels (like ethanol and gasoline) from a single fuel tank. The apparatus includes a fuel composition sensor installed in the fuel line and an electronic control unit with at least one fuel injector driver circuit for controlling an output signal to at least one fuel injector for controlling the air to fuel ratio of the engine. The electronic control unit controls both ignition timing and the air to fuel ratio of the engine based upon the percentage or ratio of the alternative fuel to gasoline from the fuel composition sensor. The electronic control unit receives both timing signals and fuel injector control signals from the engine's original Engine Control Module and the original emission control devices are not modified or replaced.

Abstract: A wireless communication system operating in the presence of the periodic noise signals such as from a microwave oven, the communication system, including at least two wireless communication stations with each station including a transceiver, each such transceiver. Each transceiver includes a detector for detecting periodic noise signals and producing a first signal indicating the presence of noise signal's quiescent period and second signals indicating the end of quiescent periods of such periodic noise signal. A controller responsive to the first and second noise signals controls the transceiver to provide effective communication with an other transceiver which minimizes the noise effect of the periodic noise signal. The transceiver transmits information concerning the detected quiescent period for use by the other transceiver to determine when to transmit during such quiescent period.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell motor vehicle includes a fuel cell system for powering an electric motor that has its rotor or armature constructed as part of the driveshaft such that the driveshaft can be turned via the electric motor or by the force of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of driving at least one wheel of the vehicle without the need for an interconnecting gearbox or a traction battery.

Abstract: A digital camera having a wideband RF transceiver, includes: a graphic user interface for displaying a camera control menu, the graphic user interface having a normal viewing axis; camera grips located on opposite sides of the camera body for holding the camera to operate the transceiver while viewing the graphic user interface; and a directional antenna arranged with respect to the camera to point away from a user of the camera and having a 90±10 degree vertical beam width centered on the horizon ±20 degrees, and a 180±20 degree horizontal beam width when the camera is held by the grips for normal viewing of the graphic user interface while operating the transceiver.

Abstract: A digital camera having a wideband RF transceiver, includes: a graphic user interface for displaying a camera control menu, the graphic user interface having a normal viewing axis; camera grips located on opposite sides of the camera body for holding the camera to operate the transceiver while viewing the graphic user interface; and a directional antenna arranged with respect to the camera to point away from a user of the camera and having a 90±10 degree vertical beam width centered on the horizon ±20 degrees, and a 180±20 degree horizontal beam width when the camera is held by the grips for normal viewing of the graphic user interface while operating the transceiver.

Abstract: An RF wireless communication system operating in the presence of a periodic noise environment, includes first and second wireless devices, each such device having: a source of power; a transceiver coupled to the power source, for transmitting and receiving wireless information; a controller/CPU for controlling the operation of the transceiver; means for detecting and mapping the presence of the RF radiated periodic noise; and means responsive to the mapped periodic noise for controlling the operation of the transceiver to communicate with the other wireless device during the quiescent periods of the radiated RF periodic noise.

Abstract: A wireless control system for use in system having a plurality of periodic noise sources includes an antenna; an RF receiver connected to the antenna for receiving RF noise from an external periodic noise source; a phase synchronization circuit connected to the RF receiver for generating a clock signal that is in phase with the external periodic noise; and a noise source control circuit connected to the phase synchronization circuit for receiving the clock signal and controlling a periodic noise source, whereby the periodic noise sources in the system are synchronized to emit their periodic noise in phase with each other.

Abstract: A wireless communication system operating in the presence of the periodic noise such as from a microwave oven, the communication system, wherein the wireless communication system including at least two wireless communication stations with transceiver in microwave communication with each other, each such station detects periodic microwave signals for producing a signal indicating the duration of a periodic microwave signal's quiescent period; and controls the transmitter to send a data packet which includes data and the duration of quiescent periods in the periodic microwave signal; and adjusts the amount of data sent in an data packet as a function of the duration of the quiescent period.