Abstract: A self-sterilizing handle or other gripping apparatus. The apparatus and method of the invention have to do with sterilizing a gripping surface with germicidal ultraviolet light. Embodiments of an apparatus are disclosed which provide for periodic and repeated exposure of a gripping surface to the UV radiation. The gripping surface may be incorporated into a handle, so that the handle remains relatively germ-free between uses by individuals. The gripping surface may define a variety of different shapes.

Abstract: A mechanism for extending and supporting a high-lift device relative to an airfoil has a pair of support ribs coupled to the airfoil. A carrier track is pivotally coupled to the high-lift device and positioned between the pair of support ribs. The carrier track has a slot opening along a lower length thereof. A gear rack is coupled within the slot opening. A pinion gear is positioned between the support ribs and below the carrier track. The pinion gear engages with the gear rack for extending the high-lift device relative to the airfoil. A plurality of rollers is rotateably coupled to the support ribs and in bearing contact with the carrier track. At least one roller is positioned above the carrier track and a second roller is positioned below the carrier track. The second roller is positioned concentrically with the pinion gear.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring and notification system includes a mapping application and a data manager. The mapping application receives data identifying a particular location and automatically translates this data into a set of location values. The mapping application then stores the foregoing set of location values. The data manager retrieves the stored set of location values and monitors travel of a vehicle based on location values produced by a location sensor coupled to the vehicle. The data manager compares a set of location values produced by the sensor to the stored set of location values to determine when the vehicle is within a predefined proximity of the particular location. When the data manager determines that the vehicle is within the predefined proximity of the particular location, the data manager causes a notification message to be transmitted to a user communications device to notify a user of an impending arrival of the vehicle at the particular location.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention monitors and communicates travel data transmitted from vehicles being monitored by the system to users requesting travel information on a particular vehicle. A travel data storage unit receives and stores the travel data. When a user desires to view some or all of this travel data, the user submits a request to a data manager. In response, the data manager retrieves the appropriate information from the travel data stored in the travel data storage unit and transmits this information to the user. The data manager may communicate the information in a variety of mediums and preferably contact information is predefined that enables the data manager to determine which medium is preferable and how to establish communication once the medium is determined.

Abstract: An advance notification system and method notifies passengers of the impending arrival of a transportation vehicle, for example, a school bus, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit for each vehicle and a base station control unit for making telephone calls to passengers in order to inform the passengers when the vehicle is a certain predefined time period and/or distance away from the vehicle stop. The VCU compares elapsed time and/or traveled distance to the programmed scheduled time and/or traveled distance to determine if the vehicle is on schedule. If the vehicle is behind or ahead of schedule, the VCU calls the BSCU, which then adjusts its calling schedule accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for rotatably supporting movable components, including canards. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an airfoil configured positioned external to an aircraft fuselage. A connecting portion can depend from the airfoil portion and can have an attachment portion configured to attach to an aircraft internal to the aircraft fuselage. Rollers carried by one of the connecting portion and the fuselage can rotatably contact a track carried by the other of the connecting portion and the fuselage.

Abstract: A package delivery notification system reports impending package deliveries and precisely notifies recipients of when to expect the deliveries. The package delivery notification system utilizes memory, a communications device, and a system manager. Package data identifying a package that is to be delivered to a recipient is stored in the memory. The package data indicates that the recipient is to receive the package and indicates the expected time that the package is to be delivered. When the package is assigned to a vehicle that will deliver the package to a premises of the recipient, the system manager transmits, via the communications device, a notification message to the recipient. The notification message preferably indicates the approximate time that the package is expected to arrive.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention automatically monitors the travel of vehicles in response to requests from users at remote locations. In this regard, a user at a remote location submits a vehicle indicator (such as a bus number, for example) and a location indicator (such as a bus stop number, for example) to a data manager at a vehicle tracking system. The data manager automatically retrieves travel data and location data based on the vehicle indicator and the location indicator. The travel data indicates the current location of the vehicle identified by the vehicle value, and the location data represents a location along the vehicle's route of travel. The data manager then compares the travel data and the location data in order to determine whether the vehicle is a predetermined proximity from the location represented by the location data. When the vehicle is a predetermined proximity from the location identified by the location data (i.e.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a vehicle status reporting system for allowing a user to define when a user will receive a vehicle status report about the status of a mobile vehicle, in relation to a location, for establishing a communication link between the system and the user, and for delivering the status report during the communication link, the status report indicating occurrence of one or more events.

Abstract: A control surface drive system having a plurality of actuator assemblies are coupled to first and second supply lines and to a return line. The first and second supply lines are connected to a source of hydraulic fluid. At least one of the actuator assemblies has a hydraulic actuator movably connectable to an aircraft control surface. A flow control assembly is connected to the return line and to at least one of the first and second supply lines. A bypass line is in fluid communication with the first and second supply lines and positioned to recycle the hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second supply lines back into the other one of the first and second supply lines when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position. A computer controller operatively interconnects the plurality of actuator assemblies and the flow control assembly. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract.

Abstract: A rotary unit for use with a locking system includes: a base plate having a slot; a rotary member rotatably mounted with the base plate about a first axis of rotation, the rotary member including a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly from a central portion thereof and an engagement portion fixed to the central portion; and a pawl member pivotally mounted with the base plate about a second axis of rotation and coupled with the connecting member. The pawl member includes an engagement projection that selectively engages the engagement portion of the rotary member to prevent rotation of the rotary member in a first rotative direction but permits rotation of the rotary member in a second rotative direction that is opposite the first rotative direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for maintaining a delivery list having a plurality of packages, for monitoring travel data associated with a vehicle in relation to the delivery list, and for sending, before, during, or after a delivery has been made, a communication to a party associated with a subsequent delivery to notify the party of impending arrival.

Abstract: A monolithic sequential coupling arrangement has two or more fused biconic couplers joined with one common optical fiber which is not spliced. The couplers are close together in a space-saving relationship exhibiting a relatively low polarization dependent loss. The non-fused fiber portions in the arrangement have each at least one adiabatic taper.

Abstract: Systems and methods for holding high lift and drag devices and other aircraft control surfaces in position. In one embodiment, a system for moving a trailing edge flap between a retracted position and an extended position includes a drive shaft operably coupled to the flap. The drive shaft moves the flap from the extended position toward the retracted position by rotating in a first direction about a longitudinal axis. The system further includes a brake configured to resist rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction when the control surface is in the extended position. The brake is further configured to resist rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction as the control surface moves from the extended position toward the retracted position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for permitting a user to define a plurality of different predetermined proximities corresponding respectively with a plurality of different mobile vehicles in relation to a location, for monitoring travel data associated with the plurality of mobile vehicles, and for notifying one or more communications devices associated with the user based upon the different predetermined proximities associated with the vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for implementation in connection with a computer system. The methods and systems practice the following: receiving an identification of (a) one or more communication methods for notification, (b) one or more mobile vehicles, and (c) one or more locations to be visited by the mobile vehicles, monitoring travel data relating to a proximity of the mobile vehicle to the location, initiating a communication with the party and, during the communication, notifying the party of the purpose of the vehicle's stop at the location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for maintaining a delivery list having a plurality of stop locations, for monitoring travel data associated with a vehicle in relation to the delivery list, and for, when the vehicle approaches, is at, or leaves a stop location, sending a communication to a party associated with a subsequent stop location to notify the party of impending arrival at the subsequent stop location.

Abstract: An advance notification system notifies users of the impending arrival of a vehicle, for example, an overnight package delivery vehicle, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit (VCU) for each vehicle and a base station control unit (BSCU) for sending messages to user computers in order to inform the users when the vehicle resides at a certain predefined time period, distance, prior stop, and/or location point from the vehicle stop. Moreover, vehicle tracking, the BSCU, a computer network (e.g., the Internet), and software located on a user computer may be combined in a plurality of configurations for launching and communicating a message of the impending arrival of a particular vehicle before it arrives. Significantly, the computer message is to advise of the impending arrival and preferably will exhibit a distinctive display and/or sound on the recipient computer so that the recipient is informed of the message.

Abstract: An advance notification system notifies users of the impending arrival of a vehicle, for example, an overnight package delivery vehicle, at a particular vehicle stop. The system generally includes an on-board vehicle control unit (VCU) for each vehicle and a base station control unit (BSCU) for sending messages to user computers in order to inform the users when the vehicle resides at a certain predefined time period, distance, prior stop, and/or location point from the vehicle stop. Moreover, vehicle tracking, the BSCU, a computer network (e.g., the Internet), and software located on a user computer may be combined in a plurality of configurations for launching and communicating a message of the impending arrival of a particular vehicle before it arrives. Significantly, the computer message is to advise of the impending arrival and preferably will exhibit a distinctive display and/or sound on the recipient computer so that the recipient is informed of the message.

Abstract: Notification methods and systems are provided. One such method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: enabling a user to define at least two communications methods for receiving notifications relating to travel of a mobile thing; enabling a user to define one or more criteria when each communications method should be used as opposed to one or more others; monitoring travel data associated with the mobile thing; and providing a notification using one or more of the communications methods, based upon the criteria. A notification system, among others, would have a mechanism for performing each of the foregoing steps.