Abstract: The vehicle safety system selectively deactivates a driver's cellular telephone when the driver is ready to drive his or her vehicle. The vehicle safety system first determines the proximity between the cellular telephone and the driver's seat of the vehicle. An identification tag is mounted on or in the vicinity of the driver's seat. The identification tag is sensed by a sensor to determine proximity. A gear state of the vehicle is then determined and transmitted to a call authorization module associated with the cellular telephone. The sensor for sensing the identification tag is also associated with the call authorization module. The call authorization module selectively deactivates the cellular telephone when the cellular telephone is located within a pre-set range from the driver's seat of the vehicle and the gear state of the vehicle is such that the vehicle may be driven under power.

Abstract: An anti-carjacking system includes a transmitter programmed to receive a selected vehicle identification number or other code for use with a car assigned with that particular number or code. The system further includes a receiver associated with the computer system of the car so identified by the selected vehicle identification number and means for disabling normal driving operation of the car. There is further provided means for sending a disable command from the transmitter to the receiver so that the particular car with the selected vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational. The system may be implemented in various embodiments including a modified car radio system and a RFID embedded license plate configuration. Methods related to vehicle operation and occupant safety are also provided.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Vehicle occupant identification and safety systems and methods include an RFID equipped vehicle having a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, an RFID emitter for use by a passenger of the vehicle, and processing logic associated with the computer system for determining when a vehicle operator has discontinued vehicle operation and for detecting a signal from the passenger RFID emitter so that the computer system may be activated to send a distress signal when the passenger has remained in the vehicle after a predetermined time from when the operator discontinued operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes an RFID equipped vehicle having a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, a transmitting and receiving station positioned adjacent a speed control zone, capability for sending a speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station to the vehicle, cooperative components associated with the vehicle for receiving the speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station, and various elements associated with the vehicle for adjusting speed of the vehicle in response to the speed control command received from the station. The transmitting and receiving station includes electronic circuitry and related components for determining the speed of the RFID equipped vehicle as the vehicle enters the speed control zone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing standardized mobile device distraction prevention and safety protocols are disclosed. In particular, an embodiment of a method for activating a distraction prevention or safety protocol behavior in a mobile device when the mobile device satisfies a specific condition is disclosed. The method includes discovering one or more protocol activators configured to transmit discovery information associated with a specific condition. The method further includes activating distraction prevention safety protocol behavior in the mobile device based at least in part on the discovery information. In an implementation, the specific condition may be a specified environment itself and or include an event when the mobile device enters a specified environment or a specified sequence of numbers is dialed from the mobile device.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An RFID equipped vehicle includes a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, an RFID fob for use by an operator of the vehicle, an RFID emitter for use by a passenger of the vehicle, and logic means associated with the computer system for determining when the RFID fob of the operator is out of range of the vehicle and the passenger RFID emitter is within range of the vehicle so that the computer system may notify the operator that the passenger has remained in the vehicle.

Abstract: A transformer system for sensing load requirements and controlling a transformer accordingly to reduce power consumption when the load is in a stand by mode. One embodiment of the system includes a transformer implemented to receive an input and transform the input for use by a load, a sensor connected between an output of the transformer and the load, a communication link including the sensor and being connected between the transformer and the load, and a control switch connected to the transformer and sensor through the communication link. The sensor detects a mode of load operation and communicates a corresponding load mode signal over the communication link.

Abstract: The vehicle safety system selectively deactivates a driver's cellular telephone when the driver is ready to drive his or her vehicle. The vehicle safety system first determines the proximity between the cellular telephone and the driver's seat of the vehicle. An identification tag is mounted on or in the vicinity of the driver's seat. The identification tag is sensed by a sensor to determine proximity. A gear state of the vehicle is then determined and transmitted to a call authorization module associated with the cellular telephone. The sensor for sensing the identification tag is also associated with the call authorization module. The call authorization module selectively deactivates the cellular telephone when the cellular telephone is located within a pre-set range from the driver's seat of the vehicle and the gear state of the vehicle is such that the vehicle may be driven under power.

Abstract: An RFID equipped vehicle includes a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, an RFID fob for use by an operator of the vehicle, an RFID emitter for use by a passenger of the vehicle, and logic means associated with the computer system for determining when the RFID fob of the operator is out of range of the vehicle and the passenger RFID emitter is within range of the vehicle so that the computer system may notify the operator that the passenger has remained in the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle occupant identification and safety systems and methods include an RFID equipped vehicle including a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, an RFID emitter for use by a passenger of the vehicle, and processing logic associated with the computer system for determining when the vehicle has concluded operation and for detecting a signal from the passenger RFID emitter so that the computer system may be activated to send a distress signal when the passenger has remained in the vehicle after a predetermined time from when the vehicle has discontinued operation. Other embodiments of the system include an embedded RFID tag in a license plate to disable operation of a vehicle when the license place is removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-carjacking system includes a transmitter programmed to receive a selected vehicle identification number or other code for use with a car assigned with that particular number or code. The system further includes a receiver associated with the computer system of the car so identified by the selected vehicle identification number and means for disabling normal driving operation of the car. There is further provided means for sending a disable command from the transmitter to the receiver so that the particular car with the selected vehicle identification number is rendered non-operational. The system may be implemented in various embodiments including a modified car radio system and a RFID embedded license plate configuration. Methods related to vehicle operation and occupant safety are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes an RFID equipped vehicle having a computer system for controlling operating functions of the vehicle, a transmitting and receiving station positioned adjacent a speed control zone, capability for sending a speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station to the vehicle, cooperative components associated with the vehicle for receiving the speed control command from the transmitting and receiving station, and various elements associated with the vehicle for adjusting speed of the vehicle in response to the speed control command received from the station. The transmitting and receiving station includes electronic circuitry and related components for determining the speed of the RFID equipped vehicle as the vehicle enters the speed control zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power to a load device. The apparatus include a standby loss prevention module or a transformer system including the module. The module and system are directed to sensing load requirements and controlling a transformer accordingly to reduce power consumption when the load is in a stand by mode. One method includes interposing a control switch between an electrical supply and a load device, determining when the load device requires full-level operational power, activating the control switch to interpose a step-up transformer between the electrical supply and the load device, providing full-level operational power to the load device, and deactivating the step-up transformer when the load device is not in use.

Abstract: A portable digital patient assistant includes an RFID reader, a central processing unit for processing signals received from the RFID reader, a memory for storing data, and an output operatively linked to the central processing unit for providing output information regarding use of medicinal drugs. Methods for using the portable digital patient assistant include use at the doctor's office, pharmacy, emergency medical vehicle, hospital, home, and use while taking medications to the verify authenticity thereof and prevent drug overdoses. Related methods and systems for manufacturing, packaging, and shipping medicinal drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs are also provided.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power to a load device. The apparatus include a standby loss prevention module or a transformer system including the module. The module and system are directed to sensing load requirements and controlling a transformer accordingly to reduce power consumption when the load is in a stand by mode. One method includes interposing a control switch between an electrical supply and a load device, determining when the load device requires full-level operational power, activating the control switch to interpose a step-up transformer between the electrical supply and the load device, providing full-level operational power to the load device, and deactivating the step-up transformer when the load device is not in use.

Abstract: A disinfectant dispensing system includes a dispensing device implemented to dispense a predetermined amount of disinfectant. The system further includes means for detecting the presence of a user within the vicinity of the system, means for detecting use of the dispensing device, and means for recording the presence of a particular user within the vicinity of the system and use of the dispensing device by said user. A related system for equipment cleaning includes equipment having embedded RFID tags associated with cleaning devices with corresponding RFID readers. Various methods of using the systems are also included.