Abstract: A system is described that wirelessly connects vehicles with a remote computer system using a vehicle control unit that is re-usable with different vehicles. The vehicle control unit can be detachably connectable with different vehicles over time to support rental transactions of the vehicles to which it is connected. Pairing techniques are described for linking the vehicle control unit with the vehicle to which it is connected. Furthermore, to re-use that vehicle control unit with a different vehicle, an unpairing process can be used to de-link the vehicle control unit from a first vehicle; and that vehicle control unit can then be paired with a different vehicle. To support the rental transactions, the remote computer system can send wireless signals to the vehicle control unit to control one or more vehicle functions of the paired vehicle to which the vehicle control unit is connected.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use control hardware resident in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control hardware includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use control hardware resident in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control hardware includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use control hardware resident in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control hardware includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use control hardware resident in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control hardware includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use control hardware resident in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control hardware includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use control hardware resident in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control hardware includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use a control module installed in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control module includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and operational method are disclosed that use a control module installed in a vehicle to enable a remote computing system to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. The control module includes a processor configured to interface with a wireless network and the vehicle through, respectively, a wireless network interface and a vehicle interface. A plurality of CAN (control area network) bus transceivers may exist within the vehicle interface operable to allow the processor to interface with multiple vehicle types. The processor may then be configured to automatically detect an identifier for the vehicle though the vehicle interface and automatically select a CAN bus transceiver from the plurality of CAN bus transceivers based on the detected identifier. The processor can then communicate with the vehicle's CAN bus via the selected CAN bus transceiver.

Abstract: A rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle access and management system and method, in some embodiments, utilizes barcodes, QR codes (or NFC/RFID), GPS, and a mobile app coupled with a wireless network to enable customers to bypass the reservation desk and pickup and drop off reserved RCS vehicles using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The QR code, RFID, or NFC communication with the mobile application allows for identification of the vehicle by a mobile application, which, if authorized, can access the vehicle via a temporary access code issued by remote servers. The remote servers and/or mobile application communicates with a control module that plugs into the on-board diagnostics module of the rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle and includes a host processing unit with a processor, an accelerometer, data storage, a GPS with internal GPS antenna; a wireless modem with internal antenna, and CAN bus transceivers connected with the processor, and a USB programmable interface.

Abstract: A rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle access and management system and method, in some embodiments, utilizes barcodes, QR codes (or NFC/RFID), GPS, and a mobile app coupled with a wireless network to enable customers to bypass the reservation desk and pickup and drop off reserved RCS vehicles using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The QR code, RFID, or NFC communication with the mobile application allows for identification of the vehicle by a mobile application, which, if authorized, can access the vehicle via a temporary access code issued by remote servers. The remote servers and/or mobile application communicates with a control module that plugs into the on-board diagnostics module of the rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle and includes a host processing unit with a processor, an accelerometer, data storage, a GPS with internal GPS antenna; a wireless modem with internal antenna, and CAN bus transceivers connected with the processor, and a USB programmable interface.

Abstract: A rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle access and management system and method, in some embodiments, utilizes barcodes, QR codes (or NFC/RFID), GPS, and a mobile app coupled with a wireless network to enable customers to bypass the reservation desk and pickup and drop off reserved RCS vehicles using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The QR code, RFID, or NFC communication with the mobile application allows for identification of the vehicle by a mobile application, which, if authorized, can access the vehicle via a temporary access code issued by remote servers. The remote servers and/or mobile application communicates with a control module that plugs into the on-board diagnostics module of the rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle and includes a host processing unit with a processor, an accelerometer, data storage, a GPS with internal GPS antenna; a wireless modem with internal antenna, and CAN bus transceivers connected with the processor, and a USB programmable interface.

Abstract: A rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle access and management system and method, in some embodiments, utilizes barcodes, QR codes (or NFC/RFID), GPS, and a mobile app coupled with a wireless network to enable customers to bypass the reservation desk and pickup and drop off reserved RCS vehicles using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The QR code, RFID, or NFC communication with the mobile application allows for identification of the vehicle by a mobile application, which, if authorized, can access the vehicle via a temporary access code issued by remote servers. The remote servers and/or mobile application communicates with a control module that plugs into the on-board diagnostics module of the rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle and includes a host processing unit with a processor, an accelerometer, data storage, a GPS with internal GPS antenna; a wireless modem with internal antenna, and CAN bus transceivers connected with the processor, and a USB programmable interface.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which n=0, 1 or 2;R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 independently represent H or alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo);R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 independently represent H or alkyl or together represent a group of formula .dbd.NR.sub.12 where R.sub.12 represents H, hydroxy, alkyl, phenyl or alkoxy; each alkyl, phenyl and alkoxy being optionally substituted with one or more halo;R.sub.5 represents: (a) H, (b) alkyl, (c) a group of formula --COR.sub.13 in which R.sub.13 is H, alkyl or phenyl, when R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent H or alkyl (optionally substituted with one or more halo), or (d) a group of formula --S(O).sub.p R.sub.14 in which p=1 or 2 and R.sub.14 is alkyl or phenyl, when R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent H or alkyl (optionally substituted with one or more halo); each alkyl and phenyl optionally substituted with one or more halo;and R.sub.8 to R.sub.

Abstract: A system for washing building windows and other exterior surfaces. The system uses substantially pure water as the washing medium, and uses a novel cable restraint system for restraining an automatic cleaning device against the building surface.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of N,N-dimethyl-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride monohydrate, a non-hygroscopic material which can be used as a pharmaceutical in the treatment of depression.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which are the same or different, are H or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring;R.sub.3 is an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group; andR.sub.4 is a hydrocarbon group containing at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and acylated derivatives thereof, optionally substituted alkoxy groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyloxy groups, optionally substituted alkylenedioxy groups, oxo and groups of formula S(O).sub.p R.sub.5 in which p is 0, 1 or 2 and R.sub.5 is an alkyl group, said hydrocarbon group being optionally substituted by additional substituents,are useful in the treatment of depression.

Abstract: N,N-Dimethyl-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride monohydrate is a non-hygroscopic material which can be used as a pharmaceutical in the treatment of depression.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which are the same or different, are H or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring;R.sub.3 is an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group; andR.sub.4 is a hydrocarbon group containing at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and acylated derivatives thereof, optionally substituted alkoxy groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyloxy groups, optionally substituted alkylenedioxy groups, oxo and groups of formula S(O).sub.p R.sub.5 in which p is 0, 1 or 2 and R.sub.5 is an alkyl group, said hydrocarbon group being optionally substituted by additional substituents,are useful in the treatment of depression.

Abstract: A system for washing building windows and other exterior surfaces. The system uses substantially pure water as the washing medium, and uses a novel cable restraint system for restraining an automatic cleaning device against the building surface.