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 for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An anti-hijacker system for use in association with a transportation conveyance having an engine or motor system. The anti-hijacker system includes an RFID tag associated with an authorized user of the transportation conveyance and a receiver enabled to read a signal transmitted from the RFID tag. The system further includes a computer operatively connected to the receiver and the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance so that in the absence of an expected signal from the RFID tag, the computer takes operational control of the engine or motor system. The computer may disable the engine or place the conveyance on autopilot. Related methods include concealing an RFID tag on the person of an authorized user of the transportation conveyance and disabling operation of the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance when an expected signal from the RFID tag is not received in an expected manner.

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 for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the 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: 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 for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a system for use in automobiles for preventing and frustrating carjacking attempts. The system includes a Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFIT) kept by the user and an interrogating system on the car that periodically reads the RFIT in order to confirm that the driver does have permission of the owner to continue to drive the car. The system on the car includes a microprocessor driven transceiver controller printed circuit board. The circuit board is hard wired into a number of different control systems including the fuel delivery system, emergency lights and horn. In the event that the user has been forced out of the car, the RFIT will no longer be in proximity to the interrogating system and the proper code will no longer respond to the interrogating signal. The control system will then take steps to shut down the operation of the vehicle engine and send out audible and visual emergency signals.

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 for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A remotely operated filtering system for ballast tanks used on naval vessels. A basket shaped filtering net is used in connection with the tanks and is controlled by a remote control operated by a human operator. The operator controls the movement and the operation of the filter when filtering is needed. The system includes a video monitor and an illumination means in connection with the filter structure.

Abstract: The invention is a remote controlled tanning bed salon that controls the operation of a plurality of tanning beds from a centrally located transceiver. A person wishing to use a tanning bed in the system will input a card having magnetic information coded onto a magnetic strip into a central unit. The central unit will read the information on the strip and determine if such information as to whether the user has already used the tanning bed within a recent time period, how much credit on the account, etc. Once the information has been verified by the central unit one of the tanning beds will be made operable by sending a message by a radio frequency signal to one of the tanning beds. Information concerning which tanning bed is to be used and the length of time of the tanning session are included in the message that is sent from the central unit.

Abstract: A vending machine for controlling the use of a suntanning booth. The user inputs a card with a magnetic strip, bar code or the means for identifying the individual user into the machine to order a suntanning session. The program determines whether that user has used the tanning booth within a recent time period, if the user has, the booth is inoperable for that user. If the user has not used the booth recently, the machine is enabled and then coins or other money is then deposited to pay for the time period of suntanning. The system provides safeguards to limit the use of the tanning booth by identifying individual users and limiting the number of sessions each may have in a single time period.